RIYADH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has prohibited the collection of financial donations by mosque employees for iftar projects for fasting people in various regions of Saudi Arabia. The ministry stressed that iftar projects are limited only to the prepared places and the courtyards of mosques, as well as it is a must to be under the responsibility of the imam of the mosque or the muezzin. The ministry noted the importance of cleaning the places designated for iftar immediately after completion of the break fast meals. The ministry's decision included several directives for preparing mosques before the holy month of Ramadan, the most prominent of which are: the necessity of imams and muezzins commitment to their work and not to be absent during Ramadan. It is also important to adhere to the times of the adhan according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar, the ministry said. It noted the need to make sure of the time of Isha prayer at the time specified in Ramadan, confirming that the iqamah must be after the adhan according to the approved period for each prayer. The ministry called on the imams of mosques to read useful books to the worshipers after the obligatory prayers and remind them of the provisions of fasting and the virtues of Ramadan, in addition to the topics that strengthen national cohesion. Maintenance and cleaning institutions must ensure the cleanliness of mosques and women's chapels. The ministry has also issued earlier a series of regulations and guidelines for non-governmental societies and organizations that are under the ministry's technical supervision with regard to implementing iftar meal projects during the holy month of Ramadan. Organizations planning to hold iftar parties are obliged to submit applications for approval and obtain permits from the ministry. It is noteworthy that the ritual itikaf will resume at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan after a hiatus of two years.
