RIYADH: Mosques in Saudi Arabia are to reopen for Friday prayers this week as the Kingdom relaxes measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said mosques will be open to the public for the weekly prayers from May 31 until June 20, except in Makkah.
A circular issued to mosque staff by Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asheikh, the Islamic affairs minister, said windows and doors must be open at all times and copies of the Qur’an must be temporarily withdrawn.
“Worshippers must keep two meters apart and leave a row of space empty between each row,” he said.
“They must also wear face masks at all times, bring their own prayer mats and perform ablution at home.”
Imams must ensure worshippers avoid crowding when entering and exiting the mosques and children under 15 are not allowed to enter.
Water coolers and the distribution of food and drinks are not permitted, as well as incense and miswak, which is used to clean teeth. Mosques must also close all toilets and places of ablution.
The instructions follow other announcements in the Kingdom relaxing aspects of the lockdown, including reducing curfews and allowing more movement of people.
The circular to mosque staff also said educational programs and workshops for memorizing the Qur’an should continue remotely online until further notice.
Smaller mosques can open 15 minutes before the call to prayer and should close 10 minutes after they finish.
Mosques with larger crowds can open 20 minutes before prayers and should close 20 minutes after they finish, and the sermon should not last more than 15 minutes.
The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, which attract millions of travelers from around the world, will remain suspended until further notice, the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia allows mosques to open for Friday prayers
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Saudi Arabia allows mosques to open for Friday prayers
- Mosques will open for Friday prayers in all regions except Makkah
- Imams must ensure worshippers abide by health instructions
Saudi MOH issues health awareness kit for Hajj season in 8 languages
- Kit includes tips to avoid heat exhaustion
- MOH also issues list of health requirements for pilgrims
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health has released a health awareness kit for the forthcoming Hajj season in eight languages, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.
The kit contains comprehensive awareness content in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Malay, and Turkish.
"The multilingual approach aims to reach the widest possible audience of pilgrims arriving from various countries around the world," the report said.
Among its key components are guidelines for preventing heat exhaustion, including recommendations on using umbrellas to reduce direct sun exposure and the importance of regularly drinking adequate amounts of water, which contributes to promoting the safety and well-being of pilgrims and ensuring a healthy Hajj season.
The kit also includes health guidelines, awareness videos, social-media posts, and printable materials designed to promote preventive measures and healthy behaviors.
The MOH has likewise issued a list of health requirements and recommendations, specifying that all pilgrims must undergo vaccination for meningococcal meningitis.
It likewise requires vaccinations for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), poliomyeletis, yellow fever, for pilgrims, depending on their conditions or which country they are coming from.
The MOH advised that pilgrims, "especially those with chronic diseases, ensure they carry documents that confirm their health condition, along with an adequate supply of the medications they take, which should remain in their original packaging."
It further recommended that pilgrims "update their vaccinations against essential diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, chickenpox, and mumps, in addition to the mandatory vaccines mentioned.
The kit can be downloaded from this link: https://www.moh.gov.sa/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims_Health/Pages/Hajj.aspx
Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament
RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.
During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.
They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.
King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language held a ceremony in Riyadh recently to celebrate the graduation of the second group of non-native speakers from the Abjad Center.
A total of 168 male and female students were honored after fulfilling all the program’s requirements, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the Abjad Center offers a learning experience designed to equip non-native speakers with strong and effective communication skills.
Al-Washmi added that the program reflects the refinement of the academy’s educational model, reinforcing its role as a leading scientific authority on the Arabic language.
The initiative amplifies the academy’s educational and cultural impact in line with the objectives of the nation’s Human Capability Development Program, he said.
Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration
- The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub
MADINAH: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, and the Royal Commission for AlUla have formalized a collaboration agreement to enhance cultural exchange and establish a framework to broaden global understanding of northern Arabia’s ancient civilizations and cultural legacy.
The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub. Rooted in mutual dedication to cultural preservation and celebration, the collaboration will unlock new research opportunities and deepen insights into ancient Kingdom artistry, with special focus on the Dadanite civilization.
Experts will conduct joint initiatives in art conservation, historic research, archaeological exploration, and scientific analysis. The institutions will collaborate on exhibitions and artifact exchanges, bringing cultural treasures to international audiences.
Professional development programs covering exhibition curation, research methodologies, narrative development, and museum operations will enhance expertise among staff at AlUla’s museums and the Smithsonian.
Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting
RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.
Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.
He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.
Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.
