RIYADH – The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has said it will not issue construction permits for new mosques in the Kingdom unless a sufficient number of emergency exits are incorporated in the engineering plan, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Saturday. In a circular distributed to its branch administrations and municipalities all over the Kingdom, the ministry said the decision was in compliance with the country's building code and Civil Defense safety requirements. According to the ministry's directives, the main entrance of a new mosque should be facing a main road. Ample space must be left in front of the mosque to allow for the free movement of a large number of worshippers leaving the mosque after completing the prayers. The ministry made it compulsory for mosques to have a courtyard to accommodate worshippers when their number exceeds the capacity of the mosque. The aim was to prevent crowding inside the mosque, the ministry said. The mosques should also have sufficient space close by for parking the cars of worshippers. The new conditions issued by the ministry also stipulate that all new mosques should be disabled friendly by meeting the requirements for physically challenged people. The new conditions are in conformity with the Saudi building code, the ministry said. It added that the circular comes within the ministry's keenness to ensure the safety of worshippers inside mosques all over the Kingdom.
