Doha

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) have launched a six-month awareness campaign to deter people from using mosque parking lots outside of prayer times.

After six months, the Traffic Department will issue violations for those who misuse the parking lots. Mohamed bin Hamad al-Kuwari, Awqaf director of mosques department, said that such a move is aimed at preserving the sanctity of mosques and their attached facilities.

"It has been noticed that some people park their cars in the parking lots of mosques and then go on long leave, while some even park their boats or portacabins there, and some companies park their buses and trucks," he pointed out.

"Such misuse of the parking lots of mosques deprives the faithful from their right to an easy access to a parking lot by the mosque while performing prayers," the official observed.

The Traffic Department had in October signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Awqaf to launch a six-month awareness campaign to urge people to avoid parking their vehicles at parking lots of mosques other than the prayer times, before issuing the violators the fines stipulated by the law.

Al-Kuwari said that the awareness efforts and activities will include various sermons and religious lessons at mosques, and through posters, brochures and the use of media to reach out to the largest number of people. Besides, those supervising the mosques will monitor the situation and report any violations.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Radi al-Hajri, MoI director of traffic awareness and media department, stressed that clergymen and Imams of mosques play an important role in raising the awareness among the public.

He further affirmed that the traffic department maintains constant co-operation with Awqaf to preserve the sanctity of mosques and ensure smooth traffic during prayer times, in particular during Fridays and religious occasions.

Reiterating that the misuse of mosque parking lots is a violation of the law, al-Hajiri expressed confidence that the campaign would be successful and achieve its goal.