Al-Jazirah newspaper

IT was a good idea and a smart move to select mosques to carry out the ongoing health campaign for eye care in Jeddah. The campaign is being organized by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with certain charity groups until the 20th of Ramadan.

There are many awareness campaigns that are being carried out all over the country with the help of mosques, aiming to increase awareness among people in this holy month. These campaigns restored the important role of mosques in the lives of Muslims as a place of worship as well as a beacon of knowledge that reflects positively on the society of believers.

Now, there are health seminars that are taking place and they are as important for people’s lives as listening to religious lectures.

There are many schools and mosques in the neighborhoods of major cities and villages. They are spread all over the Kingdom. There is a perfect opportunity to use them positively in raising awareness on health issues and other social causes.

Mosques can play specific roles at specific times. They can be utilized in a modern way to the benefit of society, taking maximum advantage of their capabilities and reach at the same time.

I suggest that we expand the role of mosques outside prayer times to carry out awareness campaigns and other programs of national interest in a way that does not conflict with their main and original purpose.

This will enhance the role of mosques and will change the stereotypical image of mosques as being places of worship only.

The same goes for school buildings, which remain deserted for nearly four months every year. There is a real opportunity for investment in them, instead of abandoning them for long periods during annual vacations.