
Israeli Mosque Prayer Caller Dismissed Over Photos in Bodybuilder Outfit – Reuters
By Rami Ayyub
In Acre, Israel, a call for reinstatement is being made by a mosque’s former prayer caller, who was dismissed after photos emerged of him in a revealing outfit at a bodybuilding competition.
Ibrahim al-Masri, who served as the chief muezzin at the Al-Jazzar Mosque, claims he lost his position after local officials discovered images from the 2017 state bodybuilding championship.
"Each sport has a specific type of clothing. Football has its own, tennis has its own, swimming has its own. The same goes for bodybuilding," he stated, referring to the minimal attire typically worn by competitors.
"I never thought this could happen. I believed that in a democratic country, mistakes could be corrected," Masri explained. "But correcting one mistake with another? That doesn’t feel right."
Approximately 20 percent of Israel’s population is Arab, and local authorities oversee mosques and other non-Jewish religious institutions, reporting directly to the Interior Ministry.
A spokesperson for the ministry said Masri’s dismissal adhered to all regulations but offered no additional information regarding the circumstances of the case. The mosque itself chose not to comment and directed inquiries to the ministry.
Masri believes the decision stemmed from an official’s perception that his participation in such a competition was deeply inappropriate for a religious figure.
"When they made their decision, they only saw the uniform and not the individual behind it," he remarked.
At 46 years old, Masri’s voice has become integral to the community, announcing prayers five times daily from the mosque’s minaret. He also played a role in motivating younger community members to engage in fitness and wellness activities.
"The people of Acre adore him. He is our muezzin, known for his beautiful voice and charitable nature," said local resident Refaat Sha-aban, who previously served on the municipal council. "He is a role model for the young people in our city and, indeed, for the state of Israel."