Charities helping couples get married should ensure the grooms pray five times a day in congregation, the Ministry of Social Affairs has ordered.

Imams in the neighborhoods where these young men live must provide this evidence, the ministry stated, according to a report in a local publication recently. The ministry supervises 650 charities, 21 of which specialize in marriage and family welfare.

Mohammad Rajab Al-Zahrani, the ministry’s deputy director in the Eastern Province, said those applying for aid would be investigated, including getting neighbors and friends to provide testimony of their good conduct.

He said charities would have people check the authenticity of documents and whether the grooms pray in their local mosques. These inspectors, who have been contracted by the ministry, would also make sure that those receiving financial support actually get married, he said.

Adel Al-Khoufi, director general of a marriage and welfare society in Al-Ahsa, said his organization does not require imams to provide this evidence. This does not mean it does not want people to pray.

He said many people cannot pray in mosques all the time and might need to do so at work. However, applicants must provide their marriage contracts to prove that they are serious about getting married, he said.