Imams in Riyadh are working with the local traffic police to ensure worshippers park in proper places at mosques in the capital. This is to prevent congestion and blocking of streets during the taraweeh prayer in Ramadan.
Col. Ali Abdullah Al-Dibaikhi, director of the Riyadh traffic department, said: “There is cooperation and coordination between traffic personnel, imams and the security of these mosques to organize car parking, prevent any wrong parking and limit congestion in the streets.”
Imams have to educate worshippers about the importance of abiding by traffic laws, he said.
The traffic department has also moved its early shift to late in the evening and the weekend to deal with the higher number of cars on main roads, particularly those leading to commercial centers. The programming of traffic lights would also be changed to account for places where there is major traffic flow. Al-Dibaikhi said the police would take action against anyone parking incorrectly whether they are in their cars or not.
Many mosques employ security guards for the duration of Ramadan to keep motorists from obstructing entrances and driveways of neighboring houses.
A local newspaper visited a number of mosques with a large number of worshippers in the capital including Al-Rajihi Mosque on exit 15, Al-Nasir in Al-Andulus neighborhood, Al-Dakhil in Al-Shuhadaa neighborhood, King Khalid in Um Al-Hammam and Ibn Baz in Al-Ghadir neighborhood.
These mosques have signed agreements with security firms, which have also deployed women security officers to regulate prayers inside women's sections and prevent taking of pictures and other violations.
Sheikh Abdul Ilah Al-Zubi said the contracts with security companies would help organize and regulate activities at mosques.
Imams help police ease traffic at mosques
