Sharjah24: The Consultative Council of Sharjah, during its eleventh session held at the council's headquarters, focused on the Islamic Affairs Department in discussions and the presentation of questions and proposals. This recognition stems from the Department’s vital role in serving the mosques and its contribution to the noble Islamic message, which remains the cornerstone and approach of our state and emirate.
The session, convened in Sharjah as part of its regular proceedings for the eleventh legislative term, was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the council's Chairman.
The agenda, following the approval of the minutes of the tenth session, included a discussion on the policy of the Islamic Affairs Department, with the attendance of His Excellency Abdullah Khalifa Yaroof Al Sabousi, Head of the Islamic Affairs Department in Sharjah, Dr. Salem Mohamed Al Doubi, Head of the Preaching, Fatwa, and Guidance Department, Engineer Abdullah Abu Bakr Alyasi, Head of Mosque Construction and Care Department, and Omar Mohamed Al Badawi, the Office Manager of the department's branches in the Eastern Region.
At the beginning of the session, Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the Council, introduced the general topic for the discussion of the Islamic Affairs Department's policy and the names of the applicants, stating: "The Islamic Affairs Department in the Emirate of Sharjah was established by Emiri Decree No. (27) of 2008, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Subsequent legislations have regulated the department's work, the latest being Law Decree No. (3) of 2020 regarding the reorganisation of the Islamic Affairs Department, wherein it was entrusted with religious and educational work, as well as the care of mosques in the emirate. The Islamic Affairs Department in Sharjah strives to convey the call of Allah with wisdom and good advice."
During the session, Sabousi expressed gratitude for the esteemed invitation to attend the council's deliberations. He highlighted the importance of discussing the policies and responsibilities of the Islamic Affairs Department in Sharjah, aiming to evaluate and improve its societal contributions. Al Sabousi emphasised the recent rapid development of the department, citing increased numbers and improved quality of mosques, expanded religious and educational outreach, and enhanced community collaboration. He underscored that these efforts, guided by ambitious strategic plans, align with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who prioritises the care of mosques and supports the Islamic Affairs Department materially and spiritually. Al Sabousi concluded by affirming the department's developmental role within society, positioning it as a distinguished institution that has received substantial support and has contributed significantly to Sharjah's progress and growth.
During the discussion, Engineer Jameela Al Fandi Al Shamsi inquired about the Islamic Affairs Department's plan to increase the budget allocated for mosque maintenance and encourage neighborhood residents to participate in upkeep activities. Ahmed Rashid Al Shamsi suggested conducting an annual assessment of mosque attendance to plan for expansion and locating new mosque sites in densely populated areas. He also asked about the department's procedures for supervising the cleanliness of mosques in industrial zones, emphasizing the need for continuous service due to the presence of workers throughout the day.
Ahmed Al Owaisi Al Zaabi questioned the technical requirements for appointing local imams and the current percentage of locals serving in these positions, advocating for retired individuals to be incentivised to work as imams. Sultan Saeed Delmouk Al Suwaidi inquired about the department's coordination with the Islamic Affairs and Endowments Authority to facilitate Hajj procedures and the possibility of installing cameras in cemeteries for monitoring purposes.
Salem Mohammed Al Rashidi asked about the maintenance centers under the department's jurisdiction, their staffing levels, and the process for receiving feedback from imams and the public regarding necessary mosque repairs. He also highlighted the need to accommodate mosques located near the borders with neighbouring Emirates due to increased attendance, particularly for Friday prayers.
Majid Al Darwish Al Shamsi queried about the department's role in training female preachers specializing in Islamic jurisprudence, family issues, and community matters, and whether donors or their families are obligated to maintain mosques they fund. Rashed Ghanem Al Shamsi raised concerns about providing display screens in women's prayer areas to facilitate congregation prayer viewing, cleanliness standards in women's prayer areas, and the potential use of advanced audio systems in mosques across Sharjah. He also asked about the department's efforts to provide training courses for mortuary washing and whether citizens are interested in this profession and incentivised accordingly.
Member Hamad Abdullah Al Riami inquired about the Islamic Affairs Department's role in coordinating university scholarships for the children of imams and muezzins, especially regarding mosque construction requirements, and sought clarification on how these requirements align with neighborhood needs and population density. He also asked about the department's efforts in welcoming and guiding new Muslims to understand Islam, particularly in their native languages.
Member Jasim Al Naqbi raised questions about the timeline for establishing a new branch of the Islamic Affairs Department in Khorfakkan and incentives to attract citizens to imam and muezzin positions, suggesting granting fourth-grade graduates two weeks' leave similar to other jobs.
Member Eissa Abdulrahim Al Zarouni called for an effective plan to localise supervisory positions, advocate for government employees to transition into inspector roles, and improve the use of mosque libraries and electronic communication for urgent maintenance issues. He suggested involving retirees as muezzins after obtaining necessary approvals and providing them with incentives.
Member Kaltham Saif Al Taniji inquired about measures to ensure correct pronunciation and usage of Arabic by non-native Arabic speakers serving as imams and muezzins and asked about plans for multi-language health guidelines in mosques and periodic maintenance of mosque facilities, including replacing faulty lights.
Member Mohammed Al Awadhi Al Zuhairi questioned the department's strategy for developing environmentally friendly mosques and encouraging young sermon speakers, proposing the creation of a website for Quranic therapy and allowing imams and muezzins to perform cupping therapy after obtaining licenses.
Member Hamad Abdulwahab asked about the mechanisms and plans for promoting citizen imams, emphasizing the need for clear and transparent promotion criteria.
Member Mohammed Saleh Al Ali suggested investing in specialised citizen preachers and coordinating with relevant authorities to allocate prayer spaces in high-rise residential towers. He stressed the importance of mosque accessibility for people with disabilities and proposed a campaign to raise awareness among worshippers about proper shoe placement.
Member Mohammed Ali Jaber Al Hamadi commended the department's initiative to label mosques and stressed the importance of making mosques disability-friendly in all residential areas. He called for a campaign to educate worshippers about proper shoe placement and suggested providing chairs outside mosques for elderly and disabled individuals to wear their shoes.
The Head and Deputy of the Islamic Affairs Department responded to all inquiries from council members, emphasising their importance as vital inputs for the Islamic Affairs Department's activities. They highlighted the department's commitment to enhancing mosques in Sharjah to become havens of tranquility, ensuring their maintenance through specialized engineers and technicians who work diligently after dawn prayers. Maintenance teams handle various tasks, including plumbing, carpentry, painting, and electrical work, around the clock to provide an atmosphere of faith and comfort for worshippers. The department also employs inspectors who monitor mosque services and staff performance, as well as gather public feedback through a smart inspection app linked to departmental electronic systems, facilitating efficient task completion.
In line with its societal responsibility, the department uses Friday sermons to serve humanitarian and social aspects in Sharjah, encouraging public participation in initiatives aimed at fostering development and prosperity. Additionally, the department allocates mosques for non-Arabic speaking communities, providing religious education in languages such as English, Urdu, Malayalam, Pashto, and Tamil. It introduced a groundbreaking initiative by assigning a permanent sign language interpreter for the hearing-impaired during Friday sermons at Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal Mosque. Regular meetings are held to address mosque-related issues and gather insights for optimal solutions.
At the end of the session, the Secretary-General of the Council announced the receipt of a letter from the Executive Council's General Secretariat regarding the referral of a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. (2) of 2018 regarding the Sharjah Quran and Sunnah Establishment. The Chairman proposed referring it to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee for review. The upcoming (concluding) session is scheduled for June 13, 2024, to discuss the aforementioned draft law and the Council's recommendations regarding the Islamic Affairs Department's policy, concluding the first regular session of the eleventh legislative term for the Sharjah Consultative Council.
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