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Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has prepared 2,385 mosques to receive worshipers for the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan. The preparation also includes setting up Ramadan tents at 24 places to offer Iftar meals this year. As many as 200 mosques have been designated to observe I’tikaf. During the spiritual month, over 950 religious activities, including seminars, lectures, and educational competitions, will be held.
The preparations were announced in a press conference at the headquarters of the Ministry yesterday. Addressing the press conference Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani announced the launch of Ramadan events and activities under the slogan “Obedience and Forgiveness” for Ramadan 2025.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf H E Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani and other officials during the press conference yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
He stressed the Ministry’s keenness to provide a set of purposeful initiatives that contribute to enhancing the faith and charitable atmosphere during the holy month.
Sheikh Khalid revealed several projects aimed at preparing mosques to receive worshippers and those performing I’tikaf, which include maintenance work and the necessary equipment to ensure the comfort of worshippers.
He said that a special programme has also been prepared to qualify imams, especially Qataris, for Tarawih and Qiyam prayers during the holy month.
Sheikh Khalid stressed the Ministry will organise Ramadan tents for offering Iftar to fasting people in various parts of the country through the General Department of Endowments and with the support of generous donors. Director of the Mosques Management Department Dr. Suleiman Jumaan Al Qahtani said that 2,385 mosques are prepared to receive worshippers performing congregational, Taraweeh, and Qiyam prayers during Ramadan.
He said that the needs of these mosques are constantly monitored in terms of technical, human, and Sharia requirements, and efforts are made to provide them in coordination with the relevant departments and authorities. Al Qahtani said that the mosques are provided with cleaning services that are continuous between prayers and are also equipped with sufficient copies of the Qur’an to meet the mosque’s needs.
He said that 1,308 mosques are designated for Friday prayers where orators address important topics for the worshippers and mosque-goers.
More than 200 mosques have been designated and prepared to observe I’tikaf, and the list of these mosques will be announced soon on the Ministry’s website.
Director of Zakat Affairs Department Mal Allah Abdulrahman Al Jaber said that the Department expects to collect QR170m zakat during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said that the Department plans to implement three initiatives related to encouraging people to give Zakat and Zakat Al Fitr and distribute them to eligible people.
Director of the Engineering Affairs Department at the Ministry Mohammed Yousef Al Ibrahim said that the mosques are ready from the aspects of maintenance and services to receive worshippers during Ramadan. He said that 15 new mosques received across the country ahead of Ramadan and 10 new mosques will be opened during the holy month. Director of the Department of Call and Religious Guidance Jassim Abdullah Al Ali said that the plan for Ramadan includes implementing 950 field activities covering all aspects of life and faith including mosque lectures, seminars, competitions for children and others for adults, and field visits to patients in hospitals.
Director of the Endowment Funds Department at the General Department of Endowments Jassim Bu Hazza said Ramadan tents and Iftar tables will be set up in various locations.
He said that Food baskets will be distributed to needy families, and a basket of gifts will be distributed to imams and muezzins, as part of the initiative to support imams and muezzins during the holy month.
