Saudi Arabia Completes First Phase of Mosque Maintenance Project in Riyadh

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and the General Authority of Awqaf (GAA) have completed the first phase of a major project to maintain and operate 2,000 mosques across the Kingdom. The initiative, which follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two entities, aims to enhance the role of endowments in supporting mosques, improve service quality, and optimize endowment resources. The initial phase, with a budget of SAR10 million, has focused on maintaining and operating 400 mosques in the capital city of Riyadh.

Context and Background

This project represents a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to modernize and improve religious infrastructure. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance oversees mosque affairs nationwide, while the General Authority of Awqaf manages endowment assets. Their collaboration, formalized through the MoU, leverages the financial and operational strengths of both entities to ensure mosques are well-maintained and provide optimal services to worshippers. The project has been entrusted to a specialized operation and maintenance company, ensuring professional management.

Key Details

The first phase, completed in Riyadh, has allocated SAR10 million for the maintenance and operation of 400 mosques. The Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs for Mosques Affairs, Sheikh Suleiman bin Fahd Al-Khamees, emphasized that this collaboration strengthens inter-sectoral cooperation in serving and caring for mosques. He stated that the MoU with the GAA aligns with the ministry’s strategic objectives for the mosque sector, in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The project’s second and third phases will extend maintenance and operations to additional mosques across other regions of the Kingdom.

Implications and Impact

The project is expected to have a wide-reaching impact on community life in Saudi Arabia. By improving mosque infrastructure and services, it enhances the spiritual and social experience for worshippers. The efficient use of endowment resources also supports broader economic goals under Vision 2030, which emphasizes optimizing state assets and encouraging public-private partnerships. This initiative sets a precedent for future collaboration between government entities and is likely to improve the long-term sustainability of mosque maintenance across the Kingdom.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the main objective of the mosque maintenance project?

A1. The main objective is to maintain and operate 2,000 mosques across Saudi Arabia, enhancing their services and optimizing endowment resources through collaboration between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the General Authority of Awqaf.

Q2. Which two Saudi entities are collaborating on this project?

A2. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and the General Authority of Awqaf (GAA) are collaborating, based on a memorandum of understanding signed between them.

Q3. How many mosques were included in the first phase of the project?

A3. The first phase focused on maintaining and operating 400 mosques in the city of Riyadh, as part of the larger goal of covering 2,000 mosques nationwide.

Q4. What was the budget allocated for the first phase of the project?

A4. The budget for the first phase was SAR10 million, which covered the maintenance and operation of 400 mosques in Riyadh.

Q5. Which city benefited from the first phase of the project?

A5. The first phase was implemented in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, where 400 mosques received maintenance and operational support.

Q6. Who is the Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs for Mosques Affairs?

A6. Sheikh Suleiman bin Fahd Al-Khamees serves as the Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs for Mosques Affairs and commented on the collaboration’s strategic importance.

Q7. How does this project align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

A7. The project aligns with Vision 2030 by optimizing endowment resources, improving service quality, and fostering inter-sectoral cooperation to enhance religious infrastructure and community well-being.

Q8. Who is responsible for the maintenance work in this project?

A8. A specialized operation and maintenance company has been entrusted with the work, ensuring professional management of the mosques.

Q9. What is the role of the General Authority of Awqaf in this project?

A9. The General Authority of Awqaf manages endowment assets and collaborates with the Ministry to fund and support mosque maintenance, optimizing the use of waqf resources.

Q10. When was the completion of the first phase announced?

A10. The completion of the first phase was announced on January 9, 2025, by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the General Authority of Awqaf.

Q11. How many mosques will be covered in the entire project?

A11. The entire project aims to maintain and operate 2,000 mosques across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in subsequent phases.

Q12. What is the significance of the memorandum of understanding?

A12. The MoU formalizes the partnership between the Ministry and the General Authority of Awqaf, enabling coordinated efforts to enhance mosque services and endowment management.

Q13. How does this project improve services for worshippers?

A13. By ensuring mosques are well-maintained and operated professionally, the project improves the physical environment and service quality, enhancing the worship experience for communities.

Q14. What are endowments, and how are they used in this project?

A14. Endowments, or awqaf, are charitable assets dedicated to religious and social purposes. This project uses endowment resources to fund mosque maintenance and operations.

Q15. What are the future phases of this project?

A15. Future phases will extend maintenance and operations to additional mosques across other regions of the Kingdom, building on the success of the Riyadh initial phase.

Q16. How does this project support economic efficiency in Saudi Arabia?

A16. The project optimizes the use of endowment funds by entrusting specialized companies, promoting cost-effective management and sustainability in line with Vision 2030 economic goals.

Q17. What is the role of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in mosque affairs?

A17. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is responsible for overseeing mosque operations, religious guidance, and ensuring mosques serve the community effectively.

Q18. Why is the project focused on Riyadh in its first phase?

A18. Riyadh, as the capital and a major urban center, was chosen for the first phase to establish a model for the project that can be replicated in other cities.

Q19. Which official source announced the project completion?

A19. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) officially announced the completion of the first phase, reporting the statements of Deputy Minister Sheikh Suleiman bin Fahd Al-Khamees.

Q20. What is the overall goal of the project for the Kingdom?

A20. The overall goal is to enhance the role of endowments in supporting mosques, improve service quality, and align with Vision 2030 by fostering collaboration and efficiency in religious infrastructure.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This mosque maintenance project directly supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by optimizing government assets, fostering inter-agency cooperation, and improving quality of life for citizens and residents. By efficiently utilizing endowment resources and engaging specialized private-sector partners, the initiative exemplifies the Vision’s emphasis on economic efficiency and community development. As the project expands to additional phases, it will continue to enhance the Kingdom’s religious infrastructure, strengthening the social fabric and supporting a vibrant society that is central to the Vision’s success.

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