His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, issued an urgent directive to all branches of the Ministry throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, mandating the immediate completion of all necessary preparations and arrangements for the Eid al-Fitr prayer of 1447 AH. This directive comes as part of the ongoing efforts to prepare mosques and Eid prayer grounds to receive worshippers in an atmosphere of tranquility and devotion.

Setting prayer times and preparing prayer areas

The ministerial circular included a precise time for the Eid prayer, directing that it be held fifteen (15) minutes after sunrise, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, in all regions of the Kingdom. The directive also emphasized holding the prayer in open-air Eid prayer grounds, in addition to large mosques in the regions, with the exception of mosques adjacent to prayer grounds or those located in uninhabited centers and villages, where the designated Eid prayer ground in those areas is sufficient.

The importance of reviving the Sunnah and taking care of mosques

The emphasis on holding Eid prayers in open-air prayer grounds stems from a revival of the Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Going out to the prayer ground on the two Eids is a confirmed Sunnah that manifests the rituals of Islam and brings Muslims together in a magnificent display of unity and solidarity. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs ensures annually that these areas are prepared and equipped with suitable carpets, advanced sound systems, and maintenance and cleaning services to guarantee the comfort and safety of worshippers during the prayer.

Dealing with the Eid holiday approval for Friday

In the context of legal and organizational arrangements, the directive addressed the situation where Eid falls on a Friday. His Excellency the Minister emphasized to the imams the necessity of holding the Friday prayer at its usual time in the mosques, and not limiting it to the Eid prayer. This is to facilitate matters for Muslims and to enable those who did not attend the Eid prayer or who wish to attain the reward of the Friday prayer to perform the obligatory prayer, which is in accordance with the established legal rulings on this matter.

Efforts made to serve worshippers

This early directive reflects the keen interest of the wise leadership – may God support them – represented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, in providing exceptional care for mosques and prayer areas, and ensuring the comfort of worshippers. The Ministry, through specialized field teams, monitors the readiness of these sites in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, and operation, guaranteeing that Muslims can perform their prayers in a healthy and safe environment. This highlights the Kingdom's shining example of serving Islam and Muslims and upholding religious rites.

The National Center for Environmental Compliance announced highly reassuring results regarding air quality indicators in the Eastern Province, based on accurate data from its network of environmental monitoring stations spread throughout the region. These results coincide with preparations by citizens and residents to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, further enhancing confidence in the overall atmosphere, which is conducive to outdoor activities.

Dominance of the green zone and health indicators

Data released by the center showed that the vast majority of its 29 monitoring stations, geographically distributed to cover all cities and villages in the Eastern Province and along the Arabian Gulf coast, recorded readings within the "green zone." This zone globally indicates that air quality is healthy and completely safe for all segments of society, reflecting the success of efforts to maintain environmental standards.

In contrast, only nine stations recorded readings within the moderate "yellow zone," a range indicating acceptable levels of particulate matter that do not pose an immediate threat but require routine monitoring. These readings were primarily concentrated in inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) indices at specific locations including Dammam, Al-Ahsa, Hafr Al-Batin, Jubail, Salwa border crossing, Qatif, Al-Sarar, Al-Khafji, and Al-Nairiyah.

Strategic context and the importance of environmental monitoring

Continuous air quality monitoring is of paramount importance in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to enhance quality of life and protect and sustain the environment. The National Center for Environmental Compliance is responsible for ensuring that all sectors adhere to environmental regulations, guaranteeing clean air and a pollution-free environment.

These stations operate according to the latest international standards for measuring five major pollutants that directly affect public health: ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and coarse particulate matter (PM10). This precise monitoring helps in taking proactive measures to reduce any emissions that could harm the respiratory system of the population, especially sensitive groups.

Environmental awareness and the meanings of colors

The center is committed to promoting environmental awareness by explaining the meanings of the air quality index colors. While green indicates healthy air and yellow indicates moderate air quality, the other ranges (orange, red, purple, and brown) indicate varying levels of risk that require preventative measures. Current results confirm that the Eastern Province's air quality is free of hazardous indicators, reflecting a remarkable environmental stability over the past 24 hours and enhancing the region's readiness to welcome visitors and residents during the holiday period.