The staff of Cairo-based IslamOnline website have gone on strike following a move by the site's management to restrict "editorial independence." he site was plunged into chaos after its bosses in Qatar decided to take control of its content from editorial offices in Egypt.

The move is likely to result in loss of 350 jobs at the website, which draws over 120,000 visitors per day.

Angry staff sans the move was an effort by conservative elements in the Gulf to mute the media outlet, which has a reputation for voicing liberal and reformist voices in the Islamic world.

"This is not an issue of money. It's a matter of editorial independence and media ethics, and we are not going to back down. They are trying to hijack IslamOnline, and we are resisting," The Guardian quoted journalist Fathi Abu Hatab as saying.

The protesters urged the Egyptian Government to stop the conservative management from imposing a new editorial policy on it.

"We call on the Egyptian Government to interfere in order to stop this plan and solve our problem with the Qatari owners," one striker said.slamOnline has gained popularity among Muslims since it was started in the late 1990s.

So far, it has enjoyed a degree of independence from the political and religious. (ANI)