RIYADH, 1 November 2005 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has announced that Eid Al-Fitr prayers will be held at 6.15 a.m. at 383 mosques in Riyadh. Arrangements have also been made to conduct prayers in 20 open spaces, including Sulaimaniyah, Deerah and Manfuha with special places for women.

The Department of Mosques at the ministry has instructed the imams and those responsible for maintenance of the Eid mosques to ensure that all preparations, including adequate supplies of power and water, are made. Contracting companies which maintain more than 1,000 mosques in the city have been asked to clean the entire worshipping area in the Eid mosques and lay carpets for the worshippers. Emergency plans have been prepared for the use of other mosques in case of rain in the open areas.

Eid Al-Fitr commemorates the end of the month of Ramadan in which Muslims keep fast from dawn till dusk. The imam at a mosque in Nasseriyah said, “Before the Eid prayer begins, Muslims must pay Zakat Al-Fitr — which equates to about two kilograms of a basic foodstuff or its cash equivalent.”

He added that it was a good opportunity for Muslims to exchange visits with family and friends and seek to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood in the community.

In Jeddah, Eid prayers will be held at the Old Airport in Sharafiya, near the Airplane Roundabout on Prince Majed Street and behind the Islamic Development Bank. Prayers will also be held in a number of smaller grounds and mosques.

In the Eastern Province, authorities have completed the preparations for Eid Al-Fitr prayers and announced the sites for the special prayers. In addition to the Dammam Central Mosque where the province’s governor will pray, special sites have been prepared in Alkhobar, Bayuoni, Ahsa, Jubail and Khafji. Contingency plans have been made in case of rain.

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

Traders hope that even more sales will occur during the three days of Eid. Many supermarkets in Riyadh reported as much as a 20 percent increase in the number of shoppers.

Banks will be closed for business for a week from today but they have stocked their ATMs for the weeklong holiday.