Easter Mass, Ramadan Taraweeh prayer mix up costs Egypt TV director his job

A local TV channel in Egypt accidentally wrote Easter Mass on the screen as it broadcast Ramadan Taraweeh prayers from a mosque, leading to widespread mockery.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

16 April, 2023

Taraweeh is the evening prayer held throughout the fasting month of Ramadan [Getty]

A television director has been sacked in Egypt after mistakenly labelling on screen prayers from a mosque as Easter Mass.

The local Channel 5 television channel in Alexandria wrote "The Day of Resurrection Mass for the Evangelical sect" on the screen during a live broadcast of Taraweeh prayers from a mosque, which are held every evening during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

It is not clear how the mix up happened.

وقعت القناة الخامسة بالتلفزيون المصري في خطأ فادح، بعد ظهور عبارة عيد القيامة المجيد على بث صلاة التراويح.
وأثارت الصور جدلا واسعا على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، حيث تم نقل وقائع صلاة التراويح تحت عنوان قداس عيد القيامة المجيد للطائفة الإنجيلية. pic.twitter.com/vauhrbmaR6
— أقلام حرة (@a9lamhorra) April 15, 2023

The dismissed director, whose name was not given, was reportedly referred for investigation on Sunday. The head of Channel 5, Mohammed Kahilo, apologised for the mistake and held the director fully responsible.

Easter and Ramadan have coincided this year. Most of Egypt’s Christians are affiliated to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which observes Easter on Sunday 16 April this year.

Images of the screen were widely shared on social media, drawing criticism, mockery and humour.