RIYADH, 10 February 2003 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Awqaf, Call and Guidance has announced that Eid Al-Adha prayers will be held in 20 Eid grounds and 352 Jamia mosques in the capital.
The prayers will be held at 6.45 a.m., 23 minutes after sunrise.
They include Jamia Al-Khalidiya, Jamia Al-Imam Mohammed ibn Saud, Masjid ibn Salman and Jamia Samah in the Diriah and Al-Amariah areas in addition to Al-Imam Turki ibn Abdullah in the Qasr Al-Hukm area, Jamia Al Faryan situated on Al Faryan Road and Jamia Al-Qarri along King Faisal Street.
Dr. Abdullah ibn Mufleh Al-Hamad, director of the ministry’s Riyadh branch, told Arab News that Riyadh Governor Prince Salman has also approved alternative arrangements for Eid prayers in the event of bad weather.
As people prepared to celebrate Eid, Saleh Al-Hussan, chief of the Azizia sheep market, said the prices of Najdi sheep have gone up to from SR1,000 to SR3,000 and that for Naimi sheep from SR700 to SR900.
Australian sheep prices have been hovering in the SR350-400 range, while Syrian sheep cost about SR400.
Edward Birmimgham, general manager of Euromarche, said there was a great demand for confectionery items as well as clothes, footwear, perfumes and giftware.
A Saudi family spends on an average SR4,000-5,000 during Eid.
Birmimgham pointed out that most of the store’s products come from the Middle East and Tunisia.
Euromarche stopped imports from the US in the wake of the Sept.11, 2001 events, and from Europe as a result of concerns over infectious animal and poultry diseases.
Meanwhile, Riyadh Bank has announced that 13 of its branches will remain open during the Eid holidays from Feb. 6 to 13. While its branches in Jeddah, Madinah and Makkah will work till 10 p.m. daily for the convenience of pilgrims, the airport branches in Jeddah and Madinah will remain open around the clock.
In Riyadh, the Saudi American Bank’s Speedcash remittance center will remain open at the branch near the Passport Office along King Fahd Road.
With a majority of citizens and expatriates away for Haj or holidays, the capital wore a deserted look yesterday.
Those who remain at home are spending time with their family or friends, watching movies, or surfing the Internet.
