Source : Arab News / 18 Jul 2014

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has warned that it would penalize those found photographing or video recording women performing Taraweeh prayers inside mosques.

The warning comes in the wake of photographs of women praying inside a mosque circulating on social media.

The ministry said it would crack down on those taking photographs in the women's sections of local mosques.

A source was quoted as saying that prayer rooms are now being monitored and supervised by women security personnel during Taraweeh prayers.

Several women here said they noticed other women taking photographs during prayers. "This is a violation of religious teachings. Some women even let their small children take these photographs. This disturbs people's spiritual activities and prayers, and can cause panic among those who do not want to be photographed during their prayers," one woman said.

Other women worshippers said this behavior violated Islamic law and the sanctity of mosques. They said the management of mosques must be held responsible for such situations.