Under Mohamed bin Salman's rule, this year's Ramadan has a different taste in the Saudi Kingdom after Islamic institutions have undergone massive and radical “reform” as he consolidates his vision for the country’s future.
This year's Ramadan has lost its spiritual atmosphere after Saudi authorities prevented outdoor loudspeakers reciting Quran, Taraweeh prayers live broadcast, Quran courses, and religious TV programmes.
These religious reforms have touched nothing but everything religious in the Kingdom.
The International Commission to Monitor Saudi Administration of the Two Holy Mosques (Al Harmain Watch) has strongly condemned the new instructions, saying that it deeply targets the Kingdom's religious character and status.
Along the same line, the Saudi authorities prevented any advocacy activity at the mosques without an official permit. The mosque libraries were also inspected ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh has earlier prevented the external loudspeakers in mosques while performing prayers and reciting Quran under the pretext that external loudspeakers harm people living in the vicinity of the mosques.
The Minister has stipulated limiting the use of external loudspeakers for the adhan and iqama only.
The ministry has also decided that the permissible intensity level of the internal sound system in mosques should not exceed one-third of a degree of the loudspeaker.
The minister warned that regulatory measures would be taken against anyone who violates this circular.
Saudi social media users strongly condemned the circular, considering it a new attempt to target the religious aspect in the Kingdom.
Under the hashtag #Prayer_Voice Is_Popular_Demand, Saudi activists called on the Minister of Islamic Affairs to allow the use of external loudspeakers for prayers.
In addition to his human rights poor record, bin Salman continues to harm the Kingdom's conservative status in violation of its religious and historical background.
