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Crackdown on Mecca prayer charges | Crackdown on Mecca prayer charges |
(about 18 hours later) | |
The authorities in Saudi Arabia are trying to stop the practice of charging a reservation fee for prayer spaces at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, reports say. | The authorities in Saudi Arabia are trying to stop the practice of charging a reservation fee for prayer spaces at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, reports say. |
During Ramadan, when the mosque becomes particularly crowded, each space can sell for more than US $300 (£180). | During Ramadan, when the mosque becomes particularly crowded, each space can sell for more than US $300 (£180). |
Saudi newspapers say two people have been arrested for reserving and selling spaces at the holiest site in Islam. | Saudi newspapers say two people have been arrested for reserving and selling spaces at the holiest site in Islam. |
Last week, a religious authority forbade the practice, and leaders said it contradicted the spirit of Islam. | Last week, a religious authority forbade the practice, and leaders said it contradicted the spirit of Islam. |
Sheikhs and imams have said being at the front of the Grand Mosque is a privilege that should not be bought, but rather earned by dedication and effort. | Sheikhs and imams have said being at the front of the Grand Mosque is a privilege that should not be bought, but rather earned by dedication and effort. |
Bin Laden builders | Bin Laden builders |
The Saudi media have accused expatriates of being behind the business. | The Saudi media have accused expatriates of being behind the business. |
Foreigners are usually first in line to be blamed when Saudi social or religious codes are threatened. | Foreigners are usually first in line to be blamed when Saudi social or religious codes are threatened. |
But Saudi papers make clear the beneficiaries are mainly Saudis, who show up just before prayers start to take the prime spots reserved for them. | But Saudi papers make clear the beneficiaries are mainly Saudis, who show up just before prayers start to take the prime spots reserved for them. |
Anecdotal evidence from the Grand Mosque suggests the going price for reserving a prime spot varies according to how long a space is reserved for. | Anecdotal evidence from the Grand Mosque suggests the going price for reserving a prime spot varies according to how long a space is reserved for. |
The Saudi authorities have spent large amounts of money on enlarging and modernising the Grand Mosque. | |
Much of the work done was by the construction company owned by the Bin Laden family. | |
The mosque becomes massively crowded during Haj and Ramadan. |
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