Mobile ringtones, camera flashes disturb Grand Mosque tranquility

Hundreds of thousands of Umrah pilgrims perform the tawaf (circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Tuesday. Millions of Muslim faithful from within the Kingdom and abroad visit the Grand Mosque in the last 10 days of Ramadan to perform Umrah and offer special prayers. The Saudi government has made special arrangements to welcome large crowds of worshippers. (AN photo by Thamer Al-Faraj)

By ARAB NEWS

MAKKAH: As hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throng the Grand Mosque in pursuit of blessings in the last 10 days of Ramadan, the growing phenomenon of irritating mobile phones is disturbing the worshippers.

Ringtones from thousands of mobile phones have reached the level of spoiling the pious and spiritual air at the holy mosque. It has almost killed the tranquility of worshippers. Moreover, on a tour of any nook and corner of the holiest shrine in Islam, worshippers are also encountering the flashes of cameras, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported.

The moment when the obligatory prayers are over, a tsunami of ringtones from tens of thousands of mobile phones seem to befall on the ears of the faithful. Various musical ringtones compete with the chanting and supplication of the faithful. The most unfortunate aspect of this phenomenon is that a large number of Umrah pilgrims are using mobile phones while performing the lesser pilgrimage. It seems that some pilgrims cannot finish the ritual without making mobile phone calls. There are some others, who are not at all concerned about the extent of annoyance and inconvenience they are causing to other pilgrims.

An Al-Riyadh correspondent noticed that some pilgrims were engaged in mobile phone talks for long periods of time while circulating around the Kaaba as part of their Umrah ritual.

Others were seen sending text messages. Many pilgrims were also seen engaged in long conversations with their family members and friends while performing the ritual of Sa’ai between Safa and Marwa hills. A number of them were even talking about the progress of commercial projects being implemented back home.

Some worshippers were seen engaged in mobile calls while they were entering or going out of the holy mosque. This creates further disturbance to the faithful in addition to a heavy rush at the main gates and entrances of the Grand Mosque.

Many pilgrims have expressed their displeasure over the tendency of those in creating disturbance and nuisance by talking loudly while answering calls.

Some pilgrims and visitors to the holy mosque are engaged in illegal photography inside Mataf. They are eager to take the maximum number of souvenir photographs of their presence in front of the Holy Kaaba. A few of them were also found recording videos.

A 60-year-old pilgrim was found taking snaps of various shots. Some pilgrims were found taking photographs on the third and upper floors of the Grand Mosque, where they can do photos and record videos easily as there is no rush and the number of security officials is also limited there.

Comments

YUSUF

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So what if people want to take pictures of themselves next to the Kabaa? I agree ringtones are annoying, but why not just try to block signals inside the mosque? I am sure that the technology exists. For some, this is the only time they will ever go to the Kabaa so they want to have some good memories. Besides, it's not haram and the mosque belongs to all Muslims not just Saudi Arabia. Saying that the pictures are illegal is ridiculous.

ALIA AMIR

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There should be a ban on mobile phones in the mosque.

ABDULHAFIZ

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mobile phones should be ban in the mosque, but taking pictures to me i dont think its a problem. I dont think that a flash can distract some one from what he or she is doing.

MUHAMMAD UTHMAN

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to: Yusuf
I am a British Bangladesh and it is not a saudi problem. people have completely lost the purpose of Umarah and Hajj. people who take photos need naseeha about ther intentions. Yes the Haram belongs to all muslims and I as a muslim find it extremley annoying when people are posing in front of the Kaba. on the day of judgement they will regret not spending every second in worhsip reather than taking photos as well as disturbing others. this is not a Saudi thing.

SHABEER

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Dears, You came here in HOLY place for piligrimage, not as tourist to keep the memories in the frames.Once you enter in HOLY MASJID you forget about all the world , spend your time in prayers and perform ritauls without making disturbance to others. Please leave a second by yourself in HOLY MASJID, some ignorant piligrimage are watching you and others ,what others doing and they also follow what ever the mistake you did,example like kissing on the QUILLA and walls of K'AABA, taking pictures by standing infront of MAKAAM IBRAHIM & KA'AABA by distrubing others.They are thinking that this is also part of piligrimage . Dear brothers, please avoid framing and talking in mobile during your valuable moments in the holy place. Instead of asking for autorities to ban the network.We follow the right thing by switching off the phone till you leave the MASJID and utilize our precious moments in prayers.
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