Doha: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has readied over 2,000 mosques operating across the country for receiving worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
Besides, separate arrangements for women have also been made in about 120 mosques across the country.
The Ministry has lined up thousands of religious activities, including providing Iftar meals to fasting people and food baskets to needy, religious lectures, cultural and educational competitions for all age groups.
Assistant Undersecretary for Religious Calls and Mosques at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohamad Hamad Al Kuwari and Director of Endowments Department, Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Mohamad Al Thani with other officials during a press conference at Imam Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque, yesterday.
The announcement was made in a press conference organised by the Ministry at Imam Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque yesterday.
Addressing the press conference, Assistant Undersecretary for Religious Calls and Mosques at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohamad Hamad Al Kuwari said that all 2,150 mosques operating across the country have been prepared for receiving worshipers during Ramadan.
“Women prayer areas have been readied in about 120 mosques. More separate areas for women have been arranged in a number of mosques across the country,” said Al Kuwari.
He said that a group of mosques will be available for Itikaf. It is a practice of secluding oneself during the final 10 days of Ramadan in a mosque.
“Imams are also ready for leading prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. As many as 50 supportive imams (collaborators) have been assigned for leading prayers especially Trawih prayer in mosques during Ramadan,” said Al Kuwari.
He said that the department also assigned 25 Qatari imams to the mosques for support during the blessed month.
“This year General Endowment Department of the Ministry in coordination with charity organisations and philanthropists has applied to organise Iftar programmes adjacent to mosques,” said Al Kuwari. He said that permissions will be granted under some rules and regulations.
Director of Endowments Department, Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Mohamad Al Thani, said that the department will launch a large number of religious activities during Ramadan under its six types of endowment funds benefiting over 20,000 people.
He said that Iftar programme will provide Iftar meals to 10,000 fasting people daily throughout the blessed month. “Under Salat Al Ata programme food baskets will be distributed to needy families and individuals,” said Sheikh Dr. Khalid.
He said that the department will also launch new scholarships in coordination with Education Above All Foundation. “A number of programmes will be aired by TVs like Katara Holy Quran Contest for adults and Tijan Al Nur programme for children,” said Sheikh Dr. Khalid.
Director of Zakat Affairs Department Saad Imran Al Kuwari said that the department is all set to launch an app on smart phones offering services of zakat calculation and inquiries related to giving zakat.
He said that that needy people will be able to apply for assistance through the app and follow up their applications.
Director of Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, Dr. Saleh Ali Al Akhun said that the center will organise a number of programmes for non-Arabic speakers during Ramadan.
He said that Bin Zaid Forum for Muslim Expatriate Communities will be held in six languages for 15 days starting from fourth day of Ramadan until 19th day.
“Thousands of Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Malay and Oromo speaking people are expected to benefit from the programme,” said Al Akhun.
Head of Sharia Research Section of Research and Studies Department Mashari Ali Al Namlan said that the department will hold cultural and educational competition during Ramadan within it’s a number of activities.
He said that under the contest questions related to Islamic history and culture will be asked throughout the blessed month.
“The winners will be announced after Ramadan. The winners will get cash prizes. Winner of fist place will get QR3,000. The winners of second and third place will get QR2,000 and QR1,500 respectively. The winners from four to 10 places will get QR500 each,” said Al Namlan.
Department of Religious Call and Guidance will hold thousands of religious activities during Ramadan.
“The department will hold 950 religious lectures for men and women separately during Ramadan,” said Director of Department of Religious Call and Guidance, Malallah Abdurrahaman Al Jabar.
He said that over 8,000 bags containing pamphlets will be distributed during blessed month. “The department will organise two contests on holy Quran for children and as many as 60 visits to patients at hospitals will be made,” said Al Jabar.
