Saudi Arabia sets up new council to supervise two Holy Mosques

JEDDAH: The Saudi government has set up a new council, under the direct control of the king, to supervise the affairs of the two holiest mosques of Islam.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will be transformed into a public body called the “General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque”.

The body will be responsible for supervising the affairs of imams and muezzins of the two holy mosques and all matters related to their religious affairs, including conducting seminars and Islamic lessons. 

The new body will “preside over the religious affairs of the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina,” according to a government statement on a state news agency.

The council, which replaces a previous one that was under the government’s control rather than the king’s, will likely have more financial and administrative independence.

The council, which replaces a previous one that was under the government’s control rather than the King’s, will likely have more financial and administrative independence. The new council will supervise activities in both, including religious lessons, sermons and calls to prayer.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais has been appointed head of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque by royal order.

It was also reported that Tawfiq Al Rabiah has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The body will be financially independent, and will undertake tasks, services, operations, maintenance and development related to the two holy mosques.