After finishing his answer, Abd Al Moaty Bayoumy goes on to the next call, doling spiritual advice to Muslims he's never met. In this country, where people consult their religion several times a day for guidance, authoritative answers can be as hard to find as Pharoanic treasures entombed in the Giza pyramids. But a new 24-hour hot line called Islam Line makes it as easy as picking up the phone. Islam Line has been so successful since its August launch that the owners plan to expand to the rest of the Arab World, and eventually to Europe and the United States. Just last month it became available to mobile-phone users in Jordan.
Callers simply dial a number and leave their questions on a recording.
Within 24 hours they can call, punch in the number designated for their question, and listen to the answer. On this day, Dr. Bayoumy, dean of theology at Al-Azhar, fields questions such as how to leave a cheating husband and how a promiscuous woman should be treated. Callers asked about divorce, financial dealings, and daily prayers. While the government hot line is free, it's less efficient. Service hours are limited, and answers are sometimes incomplete, prompting some callers to meet with a sheikh in person anyway.