The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance declared on Wednesday that mosques in the country will not be allowed to film or transmit prayers to media networks during Ramadan. But after backlash and criticism on social media authorities have lifted the ban.
The remarks were part of a larger message that offered advice to mosque personnel ahead of the Muslim holy month.
'It is not common for filming or broadcasting to take place at any other mosque in #SaudiArabia, which raises questions about the original motivation of the announcement.' – @Ray_Uddin https://t.co/fBlkBDJwnZ
— Sami Hamdi سامي الهاشمي الحامدي (@SALHACHIMI) March 24, 2022
“Do not use cameras in mosques to photograph the imam and worshipers while doing prayers, and do not transmit or broadcast prayers in any form of media,” it said.
It also asked worshippers to avoid bringing children who could be disruptive and reminded anyone planning iftar (the fast-breaking evening meal) initiatives to file applications for prior ministry permission.
While the majority of the message was harmless, the instructions about filming and broadcasting from mosques caused some misunderstanding.
During Ramadan, Muslims all around the world watch live footage from Mecca’s Grand Mosque as worshippers walk around the Kaaba, the edifice at the heart of Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram, and participate in daily prayers at Islam’s holiest site.
"After widespread backlash, Bin Salman retreats from banning broadcast of Ramadan prayers from the Two Holy Mosques, but upholds ban on every other mosque as he continues his aggressive push to silence Islamic influences in #SaudiArabia, and amplify volume of giant raves instead" pic.twitter.com/mQa1k30qWr
— Sami Hamdi سامي الهاشمي الحامدي (@SALHACHIMI) March 25, 2022
During the holy month, it is also popular to watch live broadcasts from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Islam’s second holiest site, in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The declaration made no mention of Mecca or Medina, which raised initial concerns about whether they would be included. The official news outlet for the two mosques, Haramain Sharifain, stated on Thursday that coverage would continue 24 hours a day.
It is unusual for filming or broadcasting to take place at any other mosque in Saudi Arabia, raising suspicions about the announcement’s initial intent.
The decision to prohibit public broadcasting of prayers was criticised by a number of groups and social media users.
"Mohamed Bin Salman's attempts to de-islamise #SaudiArabia are rapidly picking up pace"
— Sami Hamdi سامي الهاشمي الحامدي (@SALHACHIMI) February 18, 2022
– Nicki Minaj
– Mariah Carey
– Banning of Mosque loudspeakers
– Gutting of Islamic education
– Bikini beaches in Jeddah
– 'Giant Raves'
– Israeli entry into Saudi
– Rewriting history pic.twitter.com/ikBVDaNf3Q
“Following on from invitations to Nicki Minaj, ‘Giant’ desert raves, bikini beaches, gutting Islamic education from curriculum, and banning loudspeakers for mosques, #SaudiArabia’s [Crown Prince Mohammed] Bin Salman bans all media outlets from broadcasting prayers during the month of Ramadan,” tweeted MENA commentator Sami Hamdi, referring to several recent controversial initiatives in the kingdom.
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