RIYADH, 1 February 2004 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that Eid-Al Adha prayers will be held at 6.35 a.m. in 56 mosques in Riyadh city today. Eid prayers are held in big mosques in order to accommodate a larger congregation.

Arrangements have also been made to conduct prayers at open spaces in Sulaimaniyah, Deerah and Manfuha with special arrangements for women.

The department of mosques has instructed the Imams and those responsible for maintenance in the 56 mosques to ensure that all arrangements, including adequate supplies of power and water, are made. Emergency plans have been prepared for other mosques in case of rain in the open areas.

In Jeddah, Eid prayers will be held at specially arranged places in the Old Airport in Sharafiya, near the Plane Roundabout on Prince Majed Street, and behind the Islamic Development Bank. Prayers will also held at a number of big mosques including the one near the Education Ministry Stadium.

In the Eastern Province, authorities have completed preparations for Eid Al-Adha and announced sites for the special Eid prayers. In addition to Dammam Central Mosque where Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd will offer Eid prayers, special prayer sites have been prepared in Alkhobar, Bayuoni, Ahsa, Jubail and Khafji. Contingency plans have been made in case of rain.

All Eid prayer mosques and prayer sites have been fitted with audio systems and Zamzam water has been brought from Makkah for the occasion.

The authorities have urged people to sacrifice their animals at government slaughterhouses. After a slow start, sales in the livestock market picked up in the last two days. Traders hope that sales will pick up more during the three days of Eid.

A major hypermarket in Riyadh reported a 20 percent increase in shoppers during the days before Eid. It is estimated that the average Saudi family spends SR4,000 to SR5,000 at this time of year.

Riyadh’s streets seem almost deserted with few cars on the road. Many Saudis as well as expatriates have gone to Bahrain and to Dubai where a shopping festival is in full swing.

Banks have prepared their ATMs for customers during the weeklong Eid holiday. The SpeedCash center in Batha will be open during the holidays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.