Manama: A mosque imam in the Red Sea city of Jeddah has waded into controversy after social media users circulated pictures of a party held inside the large prayer hall.
Mosque halls are exclusively used for prayers at specific times and the pictures of young people singing and celebrating with great fanfare Eid Al Fitr, the feast that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in the Omar Basabreen Mosque, came as a shock to users of social media in Saudi Arabia.
The imam said that while he welcomed the advice he received regarding what had happened at the mosque on Eid day, he insisted that some of the celebrations had been carefully selected to ensure they did not break any rules or traditions.
“I thank all those who were keen on offering advice on the Eid celebrations,” the imam said on a Twitter account for the mosque. “However, I would like to stress that the vocal celebrations had been chosen in a careful manner to ensure they had a meaningful objective and were not accompanied by any music.”
He added that some religious figures had allowed such celebrations and had seen nothing wrong with them.
“However, as regards some of the attitudes by some of the people who attended the celebrations, I clarify that they happened without my knowledge or approval,” he said, referring to some dances performed by guests. “I was held up by Eid well-wishers and I was not aware of what was going on. I was informed about what happened later,” he said, Saudi news site Sabq reported on Sunday.
Some users said the imam should not have allowed the celebrations regardless of their character inside the mosque.
“Mosques are meant for praying and invoking God in prayers and worship,” Orange commented. “There is no excuse whatsoever to turn into a celebration hall. I am truly shocked by what happened.”
Employee said that he could not believe his eyes.
“A whole party inside a mosque? What is happening to our mosques? What is left now? We may as well hear about musical concerts being held in our mosques! What a pity we have stooped so low!”
Al Hababi said that the mosque should be dismissed promptly and punished for his attitude.
However, some users said there was nothing wrong with the celebrations inside the mosque.
“Even when we look at the history of mosques since the beginning of Islam, we will see that there was no ban on young children celebrated Eid inside them,” Bader Zidan said. “We should avoid exaggerating matters.”
