JEDDAH, 26 May 2008 — Worshippers at the Imam Malik Mosque in the Al-Rawdah district of Jeddah had their attention drawn to the screaming of women in the mosque’s women section during Isha prayers on Saturday.
The commotion was caused after two men entered the women’s part of the mosque to rob women worshippers, while two of their accomplices stood guard outside. According to eyewitnesses the four men then fled in a blue car.
“My mom went out with two of our maids, my siblings and our driver,” said the 17-year-old daughter of a woman who was robbed. “At prayer time the women and children went to the women’s section, whereas the driver and my teenage brother went to the men’s section,” she added.
“Toward the end of the prayer a youth entered the mosque. He told one of the maids who was taking care of the young daughter that he was looking for his mother,” said the daughter, who asked her name not be published.
She added that the youth then stole some handbags and other belongings.
“When the maid started screaming, a man came in and held her mouth from the back to prevent her from screaming. The gang then fled before anyone could come and help from the men’s section,” she said, adding that handbags containing cash, credit cards and mobile phones were stolen.
Meanwhile, hearing the screams the imam hastened the prayer. However, by the end of the prayer, the four men had fled.
The imam told Arab News that the mosque usually hires a female security guard during Ramadan, as many women come to offer prayers. “After this incident the mosque committee has decided to hire a full time female security guard,” he said, adding that the guard’s salary would be collected from committee members.
A police officer at the scene refused to speak to Arab News or give any clarifications, saying, “nothing has happened.”
This is not the first time that thieves have targeted women. A woman, who did not want her name published, said that she was robbed in front of a mosque while waiting for her husband in a car along with her eight-year-old daughter.
“While waiting, a man opened the door and started looking for my bag. Out of fear, I tried to push him off but he pulled me out of the car, took my bag and fled. My daughter and I were left totally terrified,” she said.
Col. Ali Al-Shahrani, head of the Al-Salama police station in Jeddah, said that several such robberies have taken place and that people often do not inform the police.
“We only have one record on Saturday about a woman whose bag was robbed in the street. We have no details about anything happening at the Imam Malik Mosque,” he said.
Al-Shahrani said that the police are in the process of sending a report to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawa and Guidance to increase security at mosques, especially in the women’s sections.
He added that thieves often target women, as they are in separate sections and men are busy with the prayers.
He also added that the goal of these gangs is to only rob money and mobile phones.
