Why Did Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Ban Iftar in Mosques during Ramadan?

Saudi Arabian Prince Mohammad Bin Salman banned iftar in mosques ahead of the holy month of Ramadan citing concerns about cleanliness inside mosque premises after iftar meals. The holy month of Ramadan is slated to begin on March 11 and conclude by April 9 this year.

The Saudi Arabian ministry of Islamic affairs in a set of instructions to mosque employees last week restricted imams and muezzins from collecting financial donations for organising iftar feasts and banned feasts inside the mosques while raising concerns regarding cleanliness. “The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance issues a number of instructions related to mosques during the blessed month of Ramadan 1445 AH,” the notice, also shared on social media site X, read.

“The Ministry stressed on imams and muezzins in various regions of the kingdom not to collect financial donations for Iftar projects for fasting people and other projects, and that Iftar projects should not be carried out inside mosques out of concern for their cleanliness, so the appropriate place should be prepared for this in the courtyards of mosques, without creating any temporary rooms or tents or the like for this purpose,” the order said.

“Iftar should be held under the responsibility of imams and the muezzins, with the obligation of the one who prepares iftar to clean the place immediately after finishing the breakfast,” the order further added.

The ministry also discouraged using cameras inside the mosque premises. It said that the imam and worshippers offering namaz should not be recorded as it undermines the worshippers’ reverence. It also slapped a ban on broadcasting prayers on media of any kind, including social media. As per the directive, no cameras will be allowed inside the mosque premises during prayer times. It also urged visitors to refrain from filming.