Okaz found out that the clip circulating on social media platforms, in which a preacher appears stopping the Friday sermon to warn the worshipers, warning against busy filming inside the mosque, does not belong to the imam and preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Badir, as was recently circulated.
According to what Okaz obtained, the clip is old and belongs to another preacher, while its re-publishing over the past few days has contributed to the circulation of inaccurate information about the identity of the preacher appearing in it.
Warning message against taking pictures during the sermon
The circulating clip shows the preacher directing a warning to the worshipers, saying: “You who film, do not harm people by filming. Preserve the Friday prayer, for whoever engages in this filming will have his prayer invalid,” in a message stressing the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of reverence and not disturbing the worshipers while performing the rituals.
“Okaz” monitored the phenomenon
Okaz had recently addressed the phenomenon of filming inside mosques and documenting worship via social media platforms, citing the circulated clip, before it became clear that the preacher appearing in it was not Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Badir, as was circulated, but rather Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Hudhaifi.
Continuous invitations to devote oneself to worship
The contents of the clip are consistent with repeated calls to avoid being busy with photography and the use of mobile phones inside the Two Holy Mosques, and to focus on worship and glorifying rituals, in a way that preserves for worshipers and visitors an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence.
The head of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, had previously called for devoting oneself to worship and not being preoccupied with filming inside the two holy mosques, in order to preserve the sanctity of the place and the feelings of worshipers.
Between reverence and privacy
Specialists believe that preoccupation with filming during prayer or sermons may affect reverence, and photographing others and publishing their photos or clips without their consent raises legal and ethical dimensions related to protecting privacy and respecting the sanctity of holy places.
It has been revealed to “Okaz” that the video circulating on social media, which shows a preacher stopping the Friday sermon to warn worshipers against being distracted by photography inside the mosque, does not belong to the Imam and preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Budair, as has recently been circulated.
According to what “Okaz” has obtained, the video is old and belongs to another preacher, while its re-sharing in recent days has contributed to the spread of inaccurate information regarding the identity of the preacher appearing in it.
A Warning Message Against Photography During the Sermon
The circulating video shows the preacher directing a warning to the worshipers, saying: “O you who are taking pictures, do not harm the people with photography, maintain the Friday prayer, for whoever is preoccupied with this photography, their prayer is invalid,” in a message emphasizing the importance of preserving the atmosphere of humility and not disturbing the worshipers during the performance of rituals.
“Okaz” Monitored the Phenomenon
“Okaz” had recently addressed the phenomenon of photography inside mosques and documenting acts of worship via social media platforms, citing the circulating video, before it became clear that the preacher appearing in it is not Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Budair as was circulated, but rather Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Hudhaifi.
Continuous Calls for Devotion to Worship
The contents of the video align with the repeated calls to avoid being distracted by photography and using mobile phones inside the two holy mosques, focusing instead on worshiping and honoring the rituals, in a way that preserves the atmosphere of tranquility and humility for worshipers and visitors.
The head of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, had previously called for devotion to worship and not being distracted by photography inside the two holy mosques, in order to preserve the sanctity of the place and the feelings of the worshipers.
Between Humility and Privacy
Experts believe that being preoccupied with photography during prayer or sermons may affect humility, and that photographing others and sharing their images or clips without their raise consents legal and ethical dimensions related to protecting privacy and respecting the sanctity of holy places.
