643 violations of precautionary measures reported in Saudi mosques in two days

RIYADH — A total of 683 violations of coronavirus precautionary measures were reported during the first two days (Sunday and Monday) in mosques across the Kingdom after they reopened following two-month closure.

The reported violations, which are part of the 1,026 phone calls received at the Unified Call Center “1933 set up by at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance to receive queries, reports and suggestions on the preventive measures to combat the pandemic, have been referred to ministry’s branches in the respective regions of the Kingdom for processing.

Of the 683 violations, 383 enquiries were processed and answered, and the Center's team is following up on the processing of the received reports with the competent authorities in the ministry within their respective jurisdiction, according to an assessment report prepared by the ministry on the performance and efficacy of its unified call center.

The report said that most of the call were made to report violations, including crowding, non-compliance with mandatory social distancing regulations, not wearing of face masks, unavailability of sterilizers and sanitizers, not opening of doors and windows, not committing to closing the restrooms, and some people not abiding by the 10-minute period between the call for prayer (Adhaan) and “Iqamat”.

There were several requests for holding Friday prayer in the smaller mosques, in addition to a number of general suggestions regarding preventive precautions.

The ministry affirms the citizen’s role in supporting its work by reporting any violation, observation or negligence in implementing these precautionary measures, due to its realization of the importance of the citizen’s role in carrying out its responsibilities. It stressed that it will double its efforts to prevent any shortcoming, and deal with all reports it receives as quickly as possible.