Imam pressured to support Morsi

Sheikh Hassan Abdul Basir, imam of the mosque of Sidi Gaber, Alexandria revealed that he had been under fierce pressure to support President Mohamed Morsi. After announced his resignation during Friday’s sermon Abdul Basir stressed in a phone conversation with Arabstoday that: "Resigning is the natural reaction for any honest Imam. Many honest imams previously rejected supporting the ruler, especially in the era of the ousted president Mubarak.” He continued: "I announced my resignation during Friday prayers as a protest against the instructions of the Ministry of Religious Endowments to support the decisions of Dr. Mohamed Morsi in all mosques of Alexandria." Abdul Basir announced his resignation after the completion of the Friday sermon then departed directly to his office in the mosque, refusing to pay tribute to any decisions of the president or to make a reference to the current events. Morsi visited the same mosque about a month ago where he prayed during his first visit to Alexandria after taking over the Presidency.