Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, has ordered that inappropriately dressed people should not be allowed to pray in the mosques. Worshippers, he said, should be dressed properly to keep the sanctity of the Houses of Allah. He stressed that Muslims should abide by this Islamic teaching. During his tenure as Emir of the Asir region, Prince Khaled had issued directives banning officials from dealing with the public if they wore jogging suits, pajamas or sleeping gowns. Okaz/Saudi Gazette raised this issue because it noticed that some worshippers do not wear appropriate clothing when praying in congregation at mosques. Dr. Abdullah Al-Ethaim, a Judge at the Court of Appeal, praised the directives. He said Allah orders believers to have a tidy appearance. He said Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that Islam places great emphasis on physical and spiritual cleanliness. While people generally consider cleanliness a desirable attribute, Islam insists on it, making it an indispensable part of the faith. He said a Muslim will not be sinning if he dresses in a jogging suit or pajamas but would still be defying Allah's order. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: Eat and drink but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the waster.” (31:7) Dr. Ali Al-Shebl, Professor at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh and a member of the Religious Committee for Umrah and Haj Awareness, stressed that a person should follow the Prophet's Sunnah by going to the mosque in his or her best clothing. He said people will wear their best clothes if they have to meet their bosses. This means that the Lord, the King of Kings, deserves better behavior. Abdul Aziz Hanafi, Chairman of the Charitable Society for the Memorization of the Holy Qur'an in Jeddah, said the ban will have a positive effect. He suggested that worshippers should stand at the doors of mosques to turn away those wearing inappropriate clothes. “If two or three worshippers are sent back, others will get the message.” He urged the authorities to launch awareness campaigns to educate Muslims about this matter. Fahid Al-Barqi, Director General of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawah and Guidance in Jeddah, said the ministry has instructed Imams and Khateebs to raise this issue in their sermons. He said it was very strange that some Muslims care more about their appearance when meeting with friends and relatives, than when they enter mosques. __
