Ramadan 2024: The Truth About Saudi Arabia Banning Iftar In Mosques And Donations
As the Ramadan of this year is less than 12 days away, the internet is abuzz with many news items and updates on the Holy month of Islam. Among them is an update from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam’s two Holy mosques. Recently, media houses started publishing news stories on banning Iftars (the customary daily event during Ramadan in which Muslims break their fast with dates and water, following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad) inside mosques and banning collection of donations from mosques.
Though some headlines exaggerated the announcement made by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance of Saudi Arabia, the instructions to mosques during the month of Ramadan 1445 (Hijra year) definitely mention details about banning Iftar inside mosques and collecting donations for the Iftar projects.
This ministry is responsible for managing mosques and religious activities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry asked imams (those who lead prayers in mosques) and muezzins (technically the person appointed to recite the call to prayer, however acts as an assistant to the imam in various responsibilities) in various regions of the Kingdom not to collect financial donations for Iftar projects for fasting people and other projects.
The instructions, which are released last week by the Ministry, also said the Iftar projects should not be carried out inside mosques out of concern for their cleanliness, so the appropriate place should be prepared for this in the courtyards of mosques, without creating any temporary rooms or tents or the like for this purpose.
The authorities also said the Iftar should be held under the responsibility of imams and the muezzins, with the obligation of the one who prepares Iftar to clean the place immediately after finishing the breakfast.
The ministry has also asked all the employees of mosques, including imams and muezzins, to be regular in attendance at their work and not to be absent during the month of Ramadan. It also stressed not to use cameras in mosques to photograph the imam and worshipers during the performance of prayers, which affects the worshipers” reverence, as well as not to broadcast prayers in media.
In Saudi Arabia, the operations of mosques, including their maintenance, staff salaries, and various activities, are typically funded by the government. The Saudi government oversees religious affairs in the country and allocates resources for the functioning of mosques.
