Nobody will be allowed to spread prayer mats in the front rows to reserve a place and deny worshippers who come early the opportunity to pray in the front lines, Muhammad Al-Assaf undersecretary at the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said on Sunday.

There some people in Makkah who reserve seats for late comers in the front seats for a fee. Several steps have been taken to stop this illegal practice.

The steps include the posting of a warning that anyone who wants to get seats in the front rows will have to come sufficiently in advance.

The presidency has appointed 30 officials to seize any prayer mat used to reserve seats. The officials will keep a watch to see that no seats are reserved. Those who spread the mats will be handed over to police and their mats donated to charitable societies, he said.

He added the best method to prevent such negative practices was to increase people’s awareness of the undesirability of such acts.