Recently, Prakash Srivastava, a TV Journalist claimed that Iftar will no longer take place in Saudi mosques and imams were asked to reduce the religious discourses, ban imposed by Crown Prince Salman.
Taking to X(Twitter), he wrote: “Iftar will no longer be held inside mosques in Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman imposed ban. The order has also asked imams to reduce religious discourses during namaz”
The archive version can be seen here.
Fact-Check
The DFRAC team investigated the above claim and found some media reports from the Nav Bharat Times and Gulf News during this process. As per media reports, Iftar served at sunset in Ramadan should not take place inside mosques to keep them clean, & instead be held at a designated place in courtyards.
Further, the reports stated that the imams are urged to avoid prolonging the time of Taraweeh prayers offered in Ramadan and to deliver sermons beneficial to worshippers, especially those highlighting the rules of fasting and the merits of the sacred month of Ramadan.
Conclusion
It is evident from DFRAC’s Fact-Check that the above claim stated by the TV journalist is misleading as Iftar should not take place inside Mosques to keep them clean and imams are urged to avoid prolonging the time of Taraweeh prayers offered in Ramadan.
Analysis: Misleading