RIYADH, 23 September 2006 — On a directive issued by the Department of Mosques at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, extensive arrangements are being made to accommodate the additional rush of worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The department maintains nearly 1,100 mosques in Riyadh alone.
Imams and muezzins nationwide have been instructed to keep their places particularly tidy and ensure an adequate supply of power and water during the month of fasting to meet the requirements of the increased number of Muslims who go for Taraweeh, which follows the regular Isha (evening) prayers. Midnight prayers (Qiyamul Layl) will be conducted from 1 a.m. beginning on the 20th day of Ramadan till the end of the month.
Private establishments that have been contracted for mosque maintenance have been asked to be on duty at nights during Ramadan.
A maintenance contractor who looks after large mosques in the capital told Arab News that his company has instructed its labor force to work in the mosques till late night.
“These workers are expected to keep the places of worship spick and span, ensure smooth supply of water and power and illuminate the places,” he said.
Partitions for women are being built in mosques that do not have separate prayer halls. Some of the mosques are busy replacing their old carpets with new ones and others are being color-washed to give them a fresh look.
Friday sermons at mosques throughout the Kingdom focused on the importance of this pillar of Islam. Imams appealed to the Juma congregation to strictly adhere to the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“Everyone likes to come to the mosques for prayers during the holy month. Therefore, we expect larger congregations,” said Abdul Aziz, imam in a mosque in Riyadh’s Nasseriyah District. “We are making every effort to give the worshippers a conducive environment to offer their prayers at the mosque with serenity and sanctity.”
Tents are being constructed adjacent to the mosques to enable the worshippers to break their fast during the month. Arrangements have been made for all those who come for Maghrib (sunset) prayers during the month to have their breakfast in these tents allocated for the purpose.
Food and beverage for iftar (fast-breaking) are provided either by the mosques or by philanthropists living in the neighborhood. Large numbers of workers who live single patronize these centers during the holy month.
Last Ramadan, the ministry renovated the Jama Al-Asaf Mosque in the capital’s Rawdah District. In 2004, the ministry opened Prince Saud ibn Naif Mosque in the North of Riyadh on the first day of the holy month. It accommodates a congregation of more than 3,000 worshippers.
