Fatwa Symposium Focus: The Fatwa Symposium at the Two Holy Mosques, chaired by
Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea, discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance fatwa methodology and support pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosques.
Key Contributions: Discussions included the impact of fatwa on alleviating hardship, combating extremism, and promoting unity among Muslims, with presentations from Sheikh Abdulbari bin Awad Al-Thubaiti and Sheikh Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Muhanna.
Enhanced Services: Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi outlined the comprehensive support system for pilgrims, including 84 scholars at the Grand Mosque and 20 at the Prophet's Mosque, with services available through various channels and translation support in over 10 languages.
Madinah, August 29, 2024 – On Wednesday, the Fatwa Symposium at the Two Holy Mosques convened its third session, focusing on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish a robust fatwa methodology and enhance its role within the Two Holy Mosques. The session took place at the Prophet's Mosque, bringing together several esteemed scholars for a significant discussion.
Chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea, Advisor at the Royal Court and a distinguished member of the Council of Senior Scholars, the symposium represents a pivotal moment in advancing the role of fatwa within the Two Holy Mosques. This event is organized by the Presidency for Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in partnership with the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, and supported by a media partnership with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Sheikh Abdulbari bin Awad Al-Thubaiti, Imam and Khatib at the Prophet's Mosque, addressed the session by highlighting the critical features and impact of fatwa within the Two Holy Mosques. He emphasized the enhanced status of these fatwas and their role in alleviating hardship, combating extremism, promoting intellectual security, and preserving faith among the pilgrims.
Sheikh Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Muhanna, also an Imam and Khatib at the Prophet's Mosque, discussed the influence of fatwa in achieving obedience and unity among Muslims. He underscored the importance of fostering unity and ensuring that the voices of the faithful align with the truth, a crucial element in maintaining harmony within the Muslim community.
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi, Vice President of Religious Affairs at the Prophet's Mosque, provided an insightful overview of the Presidency for Religious Affairs' efforts to guide the growing number of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. With Vision 2030 aiming to increase the number of pilgrims to 5 million and Umrah performers to 30 million annually, the role of the Presidency becomes increasingly vital.
Al-Khudairi elaborated on the comprehensive program designed to address inquiries from visitors, which includes guidance offices, internal telephones throughout the corridors of the Two Holy Mosques, toll-free contact numbers, and a guiding robot. He highlighted that the program employs 84 scholars at the Grand Mosque and 20 at the Prophet's Mosque, with translation services available in over 10 languages to accommodate the diverse needs of the pilgrims and ensure effective communication.
This session of the Fatwa Symposium underscores the Kingdom's commitment to providing exceptional religious services and support to pilgrims, reflecting the significance of a well-organized fatwa system in maintaining the sanctity and ease of the pilgrimage experience.