Saturday, December 30, 2017

Worshippers and pilgrims have been advised against getting carried away by means of taking pictures and selfies inside Makkah's Grand Mosque as well as in the Prophet's mosque. The advisory comes from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque which also states that the people interested in photography at these places need to get an official permit to do the same.

According to an Arab News report, Mashhour Al Mun'emi, the assistant under deputy for Grand Mosque services communicated the fact that the worshippers should be concentrating more on the performance of their prayers and rituals instead of taking pictures.

According to Atiah Al Youssefi, a professor of Islamic law, the very purpose of banning photography at Makkah's Grand Mosque was for the people to cease wasting time while looking for good angles for taking good photographs and videos, as this particular practice would hinder the rituals being performed by the other worshippers, Arab News quoted.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, directed towards the Haj and Umrah offices aims to raise awareness for the purpose of abiding by the instructions pertaining to abstinence from carrying out any kind of photography at the Two Holy Mosques.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/saudi-arabia/pilgrims-advised-against-taking-selfies-inside-grand-mosque-in-makkah