Intensive monitoring efforts to protect houses of worship
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the results of its periodic monitoring efforts during the past year, revealing the detection of 774 cases of tampering with electricity and water services allocated to mosques in various regions of the Kingdom. This step comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to preserve the sanctity of mosques and ensure the continuity of services for worshippers.
According to the ministry's report, the violations were distributed as follows: 577 cases of electricity theft and 197 cases of water theft. The report indicated that the ministry successfully addressed the vast majority of these cases, closing 742 files, including 569 electricity-related cases and 173 water-related cases, while 32 cases remain under investigation and legal proceedings.
General context and importance of mosque care
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince, places great importance on the care, construction, and maintenance of mosques, recognizing them as centers for worship, preaching, and the dissemination of Islam's tolerant values. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs directly oversees tens of thousands of mosques and prayer halls throughout the country, and the state bears all their operating costs, including electricity and water bills, to ensure a comfortable and spiritually enriching environment for worshippers. Any encroachment upon these services is not only a violation of regulations but also a waste of public funds allocated for the upkeep of houses of worship, negatively impacting the efficiency of the facilities and the quality of services provided.
Impact of violations and actions taken
These violations include individuals or businesses near mosques illegally connecting to the electricity or water supply for personal or commercial purposes, placing an additional burden on the mosque's network and leading to an unjustified increase in consumption. This behavior not only affects the mosque's budget but can also cause technical malfunctions and service interruptions, disrupting worshippers and preventing them from performing their prayers in an atmosphere of peace and devotion.
The ministry affirmed its commitment to strictly enforcing regulations, noting that its surprise field inspections by mosque monitors across all branches will continue, and that necessary legal measures will be taken against violators in coordination with relevant security and service agencies. These measures aim to deter anyone tempted to exploit the properties of mosques and to reinforce the principle of social responsibility in their preservation.
A call for community cooperation
In this context, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting mosque facilities. It urged everyone to immediately report any observations or violations by calling the unified number (1933) or by visiting the nearest ministry branch. This cooperation is a cornerstone of the ministry's efforts and reflects community awareness of the importance of caring for mosques as a shared responsibility between official bodies and members of society.
