RIYADH: The Shoura Council has urged the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to allocate more funds to mosques which, at present, are not covered for repairs and cleaning contracts. The 47th ordinary session of the Shoura Council in which the recommendation was made was chaired by the council's president, Ibrahim Al-Asheikh, on Monday.

Based on the annual report of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for the year 1434-1435, the chairman of the council's Committee of Islamic and Judiciary Affairs, Dr. Falih Al-Sughair, drafted the suggestions recently.

Speaking to reporters, Assistant House Speaker Dr. Yahya Al-Samaan said that some 81 percent of existing mosques do not have provisions for repairs and cleaning contracts. Such a move, he said, would help these neglected mosques to get their repairs done and maintain the worshipping places in a satisfactory manner.

Al-Samaan said that the committee also called for money allocations to cover the second stage of the geographical information system (GIS) aimed at determining the number of mosques and document their information. Later during the session, a member criticised the shortage of mosque supervisors and the absence of imams and prayer callers. Meanwhile, another member noted that nearly 90 percent of the ministry’s buildings were rented which, he said, demonstrates the need for more financial support to the ministry.

Registering their points for discussion during the meeting, another member said that there is very little financial support given to prevent extremism in worshipping places. Issues related to youth welfare, proper training for imams prior to official appointment, and charity organisations were also discussed.

At the outset of the session, the council approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi and Jordanian governments regarding water management. A similar MoU was also approved by the council between the Saudi and Moroccan governments