Facilities in all mosques across KSA upgraded

Elaborate arrangements are being made in all mosques to accommodate additional rush of worshippers during Ramadan.
The commencement of the holy month will be determined on the sighting of the crescent next week. According to experts, new moon could be sighted either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Department of Mosques, which functions under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, directed imams and muezzins of all mosques in the Kingdom to keep the places of worship clean and ensure adequate supply of power and water during the holy month to cater to the increased number of Muslims.
Private establishments, contracted for the maintenance of mosques, have been asked to be on duty at nights to guarantee continuous water and power supply in all places of worship.
The department maintains more than 6,500 mosques in Riyadh alone as well as the other mosques in the capital’s suburbs. In addition, members of the royal family and philanthropists take active part in the building and maintaining mosques across the country.
On instructions from the department, some mosques have replaced their old carpets with new ones, while a new coat of painting is given to other mosques in preparation for the holy month.
“Everyone likes to visit the mosques for prayers and supplications during Ramadan, and we expect a larger congregation for Taraweeh prayers,” said Ubaidullah Abdul Aziz, an imam at a mosque in the Nasseriya district.
“We are making every effort to provide worshippers with a conducive environment to perform their prayers in peace and serenity,” the imam said, adding that loudspeakers outside the mosque premises will not be used during Taraweeh prayers as per the directives of the Department of Mosques. The imam said that Isha prayers would be conducted approximately two hours after the breaking of the fast.
Midnight prayers (Qiyamul Layl) will be conducted from Ramadan 20 through the end of the holy month. These prayers will begin at 1 a.m. for the duration of one hour.
Tents will also be constructed adjacent to the mosques to enable worshippers to break their fast. Arrangements have been made for all those who come for Maghreb prayers during Ramadan to break their fast in these tents allocated for the purpose.
An official from a maintenance company, which looks after more than 1,000 mosques in Riyadh, said his company has instructed all employees to work in the mosques till late night during the month. “Our men are expected to keep the places of worship clean and tidy and ensure uninterrupted supply of water and power.”
Circulars have been sent to all imams that they should discharge their duties in the best possible way and in no case miss any compulsory prayer in their respective mosques. They should strive to maintain the status and spiritual atmosphere of mosques. No mosque official will be granted leave during the month of Ramadan, except under unavoidable circumstances, said one of the many circulars.