Why Saudi Arabia's new Ramadan rules have angered Muslims?

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Affairs Ministry has laid down new rules for the holy month of Ramadan. However, it has angered Muslims across the world. Why Saudi Arabia's new Ramadan rules have angered Muslims?

Under new rules, a ban is imposed on donations to Mosques, prayers are required to be kept brief, children are not allowed to pray in mosques, prohibition on after-sunset iftar meals in mosques, prayers cannot be broadcast, and volume levels must be kept low except the main mosques in Mecca and Medina. As per the new rules, financial donations cannot be collected for projects to feed people who are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, temporary rooms or tents are not allowed to be set up for iftar, and iftar is not allowed inside mosques.

According to critics, Saudi Arabia’s new rules aim to lessen the impact of Islam in order to attract foreign audiences. Analyst Sami Hamdi said, "MBS (Mohammed bin Salman) is pushing Islam out of public life.” Critics noted that the Kingdom heavily promotes musical events and invites well-known Western artists to the country.

The new rules have received backlash from Muslims across the globe. The restriction on the volume of the loudspeakers has received backlash from Muslims.

According to Middle East Monitor, the Ministry’s spokesperson said that the prohibition on recording and airing prayers was imposed in order to protect platforms from exploitation.

Netizens on Twitter expressed disagreement with certain points. A Twitter user called it “pathetic nonsense." Another user called it an “attempt to slowly remove Islam.”

This year, Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is expected to start on March 22. However, the exact date would be announced by the moon-sighting committee. Ramadan is the biggest festival for Muslims across the world. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.