Oman ministry issues Haj selfie warning

Energy Sunday 24/December/2017 11:02 AM
By: Times News Service
Oman ministry issues Haj selfie warning

Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious affairs has warned pilgrims from Oman against clicking pictures inside the premises of the two holy mosques.
The ban would apply to clicking of pictures and videography and upon failure to abide by this rule, the Saudi Arabian authorities may confiscate the film and camera, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious affairs said.
The announcement was made through a notice issued by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs on Saturday.
Request
“The ministry of Endowments and Religious affairs calls upon all Haj companies, citizens and residents wishing to perform Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or Haj to abstain from photography and filming of all forms and in any way within the two holy mosques and in their squares.
Suitable atmosphere
“This is to respect the holiness of the holy mosques and in order to create a suitable atmosphere for the worshippers inside them, as photography and filming inside the two holy mosques cause confusion and provocation to worshippers,” the statement read.
The notice was issued by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs following a circular issued by the ministry of Haj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The kingdom’s foreign ministry had first communicated the decision to ban pilgrims from taking photos and videos through a diplomatic note sent to foreign representatives in the kingdom on November 27.