Ramadan 2025: World news banned publicity activities during Iftar at the holy sites of Saudi Arabia Islam

Saudi Arabia issued new guidelines banning all advertising and publicity activities during the distribution of Iftar food/gati images

The general authority of Saudi Arabia has issued new guidelines to ban all advertising and publicity activities during the distribution of iftar food at the Grand Masjid in Mecca to take care of the cases of two sacred mosques and the Prophet Mosque in Medina. The purpose of these rules is to preserve purity during Ramadan and focus on spiritual hospitality, ensuring health and Sharia compliance.TL; Dr:

Announced new guidelines

The general authority recently released a procedural guide, detailing the conditions to obtain the permit to distribute Iftar food at the most sacred sites in Islam, the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabavi) in Madina. Guidelines strictly restrict all advertising or marketing efforts during food service to maintain an environment focused on worship and charity.Applicants should be legally registered with appropriate officers and submit detailed plans to meet both health and religious (Sharia) standards. Permit holders need to serve food within assigned areas and maintain high standards of hygiene and public hygiene. The food to be introduced should be approved by the authority, and the permits are non-transferable, underlining strict control over food distribution.

Right to cancel the permit at any time

In case of violation, the authority reserves the right to cancel any permit immediately. For the first time, the infrastation triggers a written warning, while repeated violations resulted in cancellation and disqualification of permission from distributing Iftar food to the rest of Ramadan. Such measures reflect Saudi Arabia’s widespread commitment to ensure orders, respect and public health during the extreme time of the Holy month.The move aligns with previous efforts to modernize mob management, food security and religious customs during Ramadan across the state, which emphasizes severity and service free from commercial effects. By eliminating commercial distractions and implementing strict sanitary standards, the Kingdom aims to promote the atmosphere of devotion and respect in its holy mosques.

Fasting

Q. What is a new ban on Iftar food in two holy mosques?Advertising and publicity activities are banned during the distribution of Iftar food at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the distribution of the Prophet Mosque in Madina.Q. Who needs a permit required under the new Iftar food distribution guidelines?Persons with only legally registered organizations and health and Sharia-influence food distribution schemes can receive permits to serve Iftar food.Q. What are the punishment for violating new rules?The first offenses receive written warnings, while repeated violations allow for preventing and disqualification from serving Iftar food to the rest of Ramadan.Q. Why were these new guidelines introduced?To preserve the sanctity and spiritual environment of Ramadan, ensure hygiene and health standards, and to prevent commercial exploitation at holy sites.