28-Mar-2024  Srinagar booked.net

World

Saudi Arabia Bans Recitation, Imposes Harsh Restrictions For Holy Ramadhan

Published

on



The kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by MBS Mohd Bin Salman has announced strict restrictions for the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan including a reduction of the volume of mosque loudspeakers, surveillance during (Aitiqaaf – confining oneself to the mosque for special prayers in the last 10 days of Ramadhan), banning recitations & salutations and bringing children to the mosque. 

In a document released and circulated on Friday by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh said that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is to be ‘regulated’ by ten points, by which those within the Kingdom must abide.

Moreover, it said that the Tarawih (evening) prayers must not be prolonged and sought immediate completion of Tahajjud (night) prayers.

“They must make sure that the night prayers, Tahajjud, and the evening prayers, Tarawih, are finished in enough time to avoid disturbing the worshippers,” said the document.

The Ministry also prohibited mosques from collecting financial donations for organizing Iftar (breaking fast) meals.

Imam and muezzin are also required to be present throughout the whole month, save in cases of “extreme necessity,” according to the ministry’s directives, it said.

However, the rules were criticized by the Muslim world stating that the kingdom wants to open doors to foreign audiences by promoting musical events and inviting well-known Western artists and other bawdy cultural icons like Dubai which overplay the values of Islamic life.