The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), on Thursday, approved the 2024 budget of the Ministry of Religious Affairs with 134 votes in favour, 2 against and 5 abstentions. In terms of figures, payment appropriations are estimated at TND 187 million and commitment appropriations at TND 135.33 million. Responding to MPs' questions on the pilgrimage, Minister of Religious Affairs Brahim Chaibi recalled that Tunisia's quota for pilgrims is 10,982. More than 217,000 Tunisians are on the list of candidates for the pilgrimage, he added. Regarding Koranic schools, the minister said that his ministry supervises 2,002 of them, employing teachers, most of whom are university graduates. No Koranic school operates outside the ministry's supervision, he insisted. Some 56,000 children attend these schools across the country. The minister also pointed out that 6,000 mosques and masjids are under the supervision of the ministry. "No mosque or place of worship is outside the supervision of the ministry," he stresse d. Some 4 million Tunisians pray on Fridays, 'so it is important to have an imam who preaches calmly and without hatred,' he added. Source: EN - Agence Tunis Afrique Presse