Saudi Arabia Establishes New Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques

Official Saudi media reported today, Tuesday, that the Kingdom's government will create a new authority "directly linked to the king, to which responsibilities and tasks related to overseeing the affairs of the imams and callers to prayer at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque will be transferred, along with all matters concerning the religious affairs associated with them." The government stated in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency that this includes "the circles and educational lessons within them, connected to the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque." It is expected that the new authority will have greater financial and administrative independence, replacing a previous council that was under the government's supervision rather than the king's.