Saudi Arabia issued new rules on Friday for the forthcoming Muslim month of Ramzan, which begins on March 22, 2023. In accordance with this directive, this year’s Ramadan customs will follow by strict limitations. The same are imposed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance. This order forbids the use of loudspeakers inside mosques, and it directs attendees to observe Iftar there.
On March 3, Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, published the paper. He later distributed it on his ministry’s Twitter account. Regarding the Ramadan celebrations in Saudi Arabia, this booklet contains ten important guidelines.
According to this guideline, imams and the muezzin are not permitted to be silent during the holy month of Ramadan. If necessary, they should assign a task performer to cover their absence with the authorization of the Ministry’s regional branch. The representative has promised not to break the agreement. It is forbidden to take more time off than is allowed.
Here are the things which the order mentions:
The rules:
The above instructions said that such meals should be cooked and held in specified spaces in mosque courtyards. Rather than within the mosque and prohibited mosques from soliciting financial donations for hosting them. Meals are to be conducted under the supervision of Imam and Muezzin.
These two officials have to be present throughout the whole month, save in cases of “grave need,” according to the ministry’s directives. They must also make sure that the night prayers, or Tahajjud, and the evening prayers, or Tarawih, are finished on time.
In mosques, it is also forbidden to take pictures or use cameras to broadcast worshippers or the execution of prayers. The Ministry banned visitors from bringing kids to mosques since doing so would disrupt others and undermine the concept of devotion.
Muslims all around the world have therefore reacted negatively to these divisive limitations, with many critics viewing them as an attempt by the Saudi monarchy to reduce the role of Islam in public life.
For more news, click here.
