Amidst a wave of controversy, Egyptian preacher Amir Mounir has been arrested following the launch of a contentious Umrah application. The app, introduced via a video on Mounir’s Facebook account, allows users to pay a fee of 4,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $130) to have someone else undertake the Umrah pilgrimage on their behalf. It also permits individuals to perform the pilgrimage for deceased or ill family members. While Mounir defended the app as a means to alleviate the challenges associated with Umrah, including high travel costs and logistical issues, it has ignited a heated debate with critics accusing him of commercializing a sacred religious ritual for profit.

The app’s unveiling prompted widespread criticism, with many arguing that it encourages the practice of proxy pilgrimages, which they deem unacceptable. As a result, authorities have taken action by arresting Mounir for further investigation. The controversy surrounding the app raises questions about the intersection of technology and religious practices and highlights the delicate balance between convenience and the sanctity of religious rituals in the modern age.