Maintenance of 18,000 mosques in Saudi Arabia in preparation for Ramadan 1447 AH
As part of early and intensive preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Projects and Maintenance Agency, has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures aimed at preparing mosques throughout the Kingdom. The Ministry announced the implementation of 102 maintenance, cleaning, and operational projects directly targeting 18,691 mosques and prayer halls, ensuring their complete readiness to receive worshippers during the blessed month of Ramadan 1447 AH.
A comprehensive operational plan to improve the efficiency of mosques
The ministry explained, according to its official statistics, that these operations are part of a strategic plan aimed at ensuring the sustainability of services and enhancing the efficiency of religious facilities. The work carried out includes meticulous monitoring of routine maintenance, immediate resolution of technical issues, and intensified cleaning and operational efforts. These efforts encompass all technical and service aspects, from maintaining air conditioning, lighting, and sound systems to caring for mosque carpets and ablution facilities, to guarantee a comfortable and spiritually enriching atmosphere that helps worshippers perform their prayers with devotion and tranquility.
Caring for houses of worship: a fundamental pillar and a matter of governmental concern
These significant efforts are a continuation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's longstanding commitment to the architecture and maintenance of mosques. Serving and preparing houses of worship for worshippers is a top priority for the wise leadership. This care is not limited to the Two Holy Mosques alone, but extends to thousands of mosques and prayer halls throughout the Kingdom's cities, provinces, and villages. This ongoing initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, one of whose main pillars is enriching the religious experience for worshippers, Umrah pilgrims, and Hajj pilgrims, and enhancing the quality of services provided in Islamic facilities.
Preparations for Ramadan: Challenges and Achievements
The holy month of Ramadan holds special significance, requiring exceptional preparations due to the large influx of worshippers to mosques for the five daily prayers, as well as Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers. Therefore, the Projects and Maintenance Agency at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs works well in advance of the blessed month to ensure that any technical or operational shortcomings are addressed. The plan includes ongoing coordination with the Ministry's branches in the thirteen regions, and the deployment of field teams and technical committees to monitor the performance of maintenance and operations companies, ensuring their adherence to approved standards and specifications, thus guaranteeing the continued efficient operation of services throughout the holy month.
Developing the maintenance and operation system
The Ministry indicated that these contracts and operations are part of a comprehensive development plan for the maintenance and operation system. The Ministry seeks to adopt best practices in facilities management and utilize modern technologies to monitor reports and track their resolution. These steps aim to enhance the lifespan of mosques and their contents, rationalize energy and water consumption, and preserve the architectural and spiritual identity of these places of worship. These impressive figures (more than 18,000 mosques) underscore the magnitude of the responsibility and effort undertaken to serve Islam and Muslims in the Kingdom.
