Reinforcing its historical status as a beacon of knowledge
The General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced the activation of the "Permanent Scientific Program" within the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This initiative stems from a well-established institutional vision aimed at embodying the historical status of the Grand Mosque as a global beacon of Islamic knowledge, a launching point for disseminating guidance and reinforcing the values of the moderate and balanced approach, and enriching the spiritual and intellectual experience of those visiting the Sacred House of God during the most sacred season of worship.
A scientific legacy spanning the ages
Since the dawn of Islam, the Grand Mosque has been a center of intellectual and cultural influence. Throughout history, its arcades and courtyards have hosted scholarly gatherings where leading scholars and students from around the world converged to teach and learn the sciences of the Quran, Sunnah, jurisprudence, and creed. This organized academic program is a continuation of this great legacy and a reaffirmation of the leading role played by the General Presidency for Religious Affairs in serving the scholarly and guiding mission of the Two Holy Mosques, especially during the month of Ramadan, when the fervor for worship and the pursuit of knowledge intensifies.
A comprehensive system of lessons and lectures
The program comprises a comprehensive system of lessons and lectures delivered by a distinguished group of scholars from the Council of Senior Scholars and teachers of the Grand Mosque. These lessons cover a wide range of fundamental Islamic sciences, including jurisprudence (fiqh), creed (aqidah), legal theory (usul al-fiqh), the Prophet's biography (sirah), exegesis (tafsir), and other sciences derived from the Quran, Sunnah, and authoritative scholarly texts. The program is designed to meet the diverse intellectual needs of visitors and pilgrims, and to deepen their connection with inherited knowledge through a well-established scholarly methodology.
Importance and expected impact
This program is of paramount importance on multiple levels. Locally, it provides a valuable opportunity for citizens, residents, and pilgrims to deepen their understanding of Islamic law in the holiest of places. Regionally and internationally, the program serves as a platform for disseminating Islam's tolerant message of moderation and balance, and for countering extremist ideologies. It also strengthens the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a global religious authority and reinforces the role of the Two Holy Mosques as a center of cultural and intellectual enlightenment for the entire Muslim world, thus contributing to raising awareness, preserving the true teachings of Islam, and enriching the spiritual and intellectual experience of pilgrims.
Transparency and accessibility
The Presidency explained that details of the scientific program are announced monthly at the beginning of each Hijri month through the official media platforms of the Presidency and the Agency for Scientific and Guidance Affairs. This approach underscores transparency and the commitment to enabling visitors to the Grand Mosque to attend the lessons and lectures, and to organize their attendance in a way that maximizes the benefit derived from this valuable scientific initiative during the holy month.
