Saudis Divided on Televised Tarawih

Islamic Ideology

20 Sep 2008, NewAgeIslam.Com

Saudis Divided on Televised Tarawih

Saudi worshippers and scholars see the live broadcasting of Tarawih is causing them to lose the spiritual atmosphere during the rite.   By Ali Al-Hajib, IOL Correspondent   Saudi worshippers and scholars see the live broadcasting of Tarawih is causing them to lose the spiritual atmosphere during the rite. (Google)   Jeddah — With leading media outlets racing to broadcast the Tarawih prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan, Saudi worshippers and scholars see the media mania is causing them to lose the spiritual atmosphere during the rite.   "I lose concentration during prayers when cameras are in," Saed Mohammad, 31, told IslamOnline.net on Saturday, September 13.   "I feel as if someone is watching me."   Khalid Al-Yazeedi, 24, has a similar view.   "I got annoyed when I heard that a camera was airing the prayers from the mosque where I'm praying," he said.   "The camera will distract me from minding the verses being recited."   Yazeedi said many worshippers lose concentration during the prayers because of the cameras.   "Watching the cameras, you would find worshippers whose eyes are glued to the cameras."   In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.   Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer and self-restraint.   "Broadcasting the prayers may disturb worshippers during the prayers," imam Hani Al-Refae told IOL.   Refae, the imam of Al-Anani mosque in Jeddah, was asked by a media corporation to broadcast the Tarawih prayers from his mosque.   "But after consulting the worshippers, they refused because the broadcasting may disturb them during the prayers."   Positive   Some Saudi scholars, however, support the live broadcasting of the Tarawih prayers.   "I don't mind the presence of cameras during the prayers," said imam Mohammad Al-Ghazali.   "But the cameras should be placed at the backyard and should not focus on broadcasting the faces of the worshippers."   He said the live broadcast is sometimes needed during religious ceremonies or the last Tarawih prayers.   "But cameras should not be visible in order not to distract the worshippers," said Ghazali, the imam of Al-Gaith mosque.   Dr. Saud Al-Fanissan, the former dean of the Faculty of Shari`ah, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, sees the live broadcasting of prayers as "positive".   "It is a positive phenomenon and a way to transmit the prayers to other countries," he said.   Fanissan agrees that the broadcasting has some negative consequences.   "But the benefits are much greater."   http://www.islamonline.net/english/news/2008-09/13/03.shtml?utm_source=opt-in_list&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=weekly_Newsletter