The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has allocated SR13 million for the implementation of projects and strategies that will lead to the reduced consumption of water and electricity in mosques in all regions of the Kingdom. This was announced by Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawa and Guidance. According to Aal Al-Sheik, the houses of Allah and the places of worship should be among the first public places in the country to exhibit wiser consumption practices of electricity and water. Aal Al-Sheik revealed in a press conference held on Friday that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has just completed a study on the technical component of the new strategies that will be included in the adjustments planned to be made in the mosques across the Kingdom. One example of such strategies is the installation of energy-smart fluorescent light bulbs that use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Other plans include regular and more vigilant cleanliness and maintenance of mosques. Such changes have already been made at mosques in Qassim, Jouf, Baha, the Northern Border region, and Ha'il. These changes will also be implemented in mosques in all regions of the Kingdom in the near future. Heightening worshipers' awareness of the importance of water and electricity conservation is also part of this project. In addition, Aal Al-Sheikh urged imams at all mosques to speak during the Friday sermon in the coming weeks about the importance of conserving water and electricity. The Friday sermon is an excellent platform for raising awareness about issues that concern the lives of all Muslims and issues that are essential to our society. The problem of water scarcity in the Kingdom needs to be tackled from a number of dimensions, and one way is to educate the public on the importance of refraining from wasting water. The imams of the mosques were asked to address the issue and to encourage the average individual to save water and electricity in his/her own home, workplace, school and in the houses of Allah. __
