Saudi Arabia sets up new body to supervise Islam’s two holiest mosques

Body will be under the direct control of the King

The new body will preside over the religious affairs of the two mosques in Makkah and Madinah. Reuters

Saudi Arabia has set up a new council to supervise the affairs of the two holiest mosques in Islam, the Saudi Cabinet said on Thursday.

The Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque will be under the direct control of King Salman, the cabinet said in a statement following its weekly meeting.

Makkah's Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are Islam’s two holiest sites.

The new body will preside over the religious affairs of the two mosques in Makkah and Madinah, according to the statement.

This will include the religious lessons, sermons and calls to prayer at the two mosques, the statement said.

The cabinet said that the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will be transformed into a public body called the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The authority will manage various tasks related to services, operation, maintenance and development of the two holy mosques.