Tunisia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Ahmed Al-Bouhali, announced on Wednesday that the ministry's 2027 budget has been set at 219,650 thousand dinars. This represents an 8.5% increase from the 202,400 thousand dinars allocated in 2026. The budget is divided into four main categories: rent, operating expenses, intervention expenses, and investment expenses.
The rent expenses for 2027 are set at 176,630 thousand dinars, while operating expenses are budgeted at 24,980 thousand dinars. Intervention expenses and investment expenses are set at 14,840 thousand dinars and 3,200 thousand dinars, respectively. The ministry is responsible for implementing the state's policy in the religious field and overseeing the management, maintenance, and restoration of religious monuments.
As of September, there are 6,820 religious monuments in Tunisia, including 5,333 mosques, 1,487 other mosques, and 77 zawiyas. The ministry plans to complete 30 projects by the end of this year and 120 mosques next year. The ministry also oversees the Ktatib sector, a program in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Family, Women, and Seniors.
The Ktatib sector has 2,382 schools with 1,552 female and 520 male teachers, and approximately 51,920 students. The ministry is also responsible for organizing the Hajj, supporting Tunisians abroad, and promoting religious media. Additionally, the ministry oversees two higher education institutions.
This year, the ministry has completed several projects, including a comprehensive digital system for mosque cadres and a digital map to precisely locate religious monuments. The ministry has also established a studio to produce awareness-raising programs and record religious lessons. Furthermore, the ministry has participated in the national program to control energy in religious monuments.
The program has enabled the installation of 67 photovoltaic stations to produce electricity. The discussion on the ministry's budget focused on three main issues: Hajj, mosque cadres, and citizen requests related to religious affairs. Some deputies called for the decentralization of medical check-ups for pilgrims, while others requested the opening of Qafsa airport for Hajj flights.
The minister promised to review the centralization of medical check-ups and the possibility of paying Hajj costs for Tunisians abroad. The minister also addressed the situation of mosque cadres, stating that the ministry is working to improve their social status and salaries. The minister rejected allegations of unfair punishment, stating that penalties were based on proven facts and followed administrative procedures.
Key points
- The Ministry of Religious Affairs' 2027 budget is set at 219,650 thousand dinars, an 8.5% increase from 2026.
- The ministry oversees 6,820 religious monuments, including 5,333 mosques and 1,487 other mosques.
- The ministry has completed several projects, including a comprehensive digital system for mosque cadres and a digital map to precisely locate religious monuments.
