The Ministry of Islamic Affairs recorded 774 violations against mosque services in 2025
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect mosques and ensure the sustainability of their resources, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance that it had detected 774 cases of tampering with electricity and water services at mosques across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its intensive monitoring tours throughout 2025. This step is part of the Ministry's comprehensive strategy to improve the efficiency of services provided to worshippers and safeguard public funds.
Details of violations and recorded figures
Official reports issued by the Ministry provided a detailed breakdown of the violations, with electricity the list at 577 cases, followed by water network at 197 cases. Technical and monitoring teams were able to address the vast majority of these cases, rectifying 742 violations, including 569 electricity thefts and 173 water thefts. Thirty-two cases remain under final legal procedures.
The importance of oversight and protecting the assets of mosques
These monitoring campaigns are of paramount importance, extending beyond simply detecting violations. They aim to protect the sanctity of mosques and ensure that their facilities are not exploited for unauthorized personal or commercial purposes. Mosques are among the most important public facilities to which the Kingdom pays special attention, with the state allocating substantial budgets to ensure their comfort, cleanliness, and the provision of essential services for their worshippers. Addressing these violations is an integral part of preserving national assets and promoting the principles of transparency and integrity.
Negative effects of illicit exploitation
The ministry pointed out that the misuse of electricity and water resources belonging to mosques for purposes other than those for which they are intended places a significant burden on operational facilities. From a technical standpoint, haphazard and unregulated electrical connections can lead to overloads that threaten the building's safety and increase the risk of fires and electrical short circuits, endangering the lives of worshippers. Regarding water, the waste resulting from these encroachments negatively impacts the availability of water necessary for ablution and hygiene, directly affecting the core service provided to pilgrims.
Continued field visits and the role of the community
The Ministry affirmed its commitment to continuing its surprise and periodic field inspections through its branches across the Kingdom, emphasizing that it will not hesitate to take strict legal action against violators in coordination with relevant security and service agencies. In this context, the Ministry called upon all citizens and residents to play their part in the community and cooperate by reporting any observations or suspected violations through the unified call center (1933) or by visiting the branches, stressing that the upkeep of mosques is a shared responsibility that rests on everyone.
