Umm al-Qura University (UQU), as represented by the College of Shari'ah and Islamic Studies, organized a symposium under the theme: "The Grand Mosque: Virtues, Etiquette and Provisions". The symposium was held on Wednesday, Rajab 20, 1437H, corresponding to April 27, 2016. Participants extended thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for approving of holding the symposium, and for his keen interest in addressing issues of concern for the Islamic World.

Participants extended thanks also to the Crown Prince, the Deputy Crown Prince and the Governor of Makkah for patronizing the symposium, and their unstinting support for all that maximizes thd benefit of the nation.

In the closing statement, the participating sheikhs and scientists came up with the recommendation that Muslims should be educated on the stature, virtues, etiquette and provisions of the Grand Mosque. The called upon scholars and knowledgeable persons to raise people's awareness of the Grand Mosque etiquette through preaches, researches, the media, and social networks. In doing so, scholars should proceed from the intent to enlighten people about the religious rituals, so that they could worship Allah in the sound manner.

The statement made clear that visitors of the Grand Mosque must abide by the laws and instructions enforced to preserve the Mosque and its visitors. It is not allowed, for instance, to sit or pray in corridors, or to enter with unauthorized food or drinks. Also, women must not sit at places dedicated for men, and vice versa, and so forth.

It was put clear in the statement that getting busy while in the Mosque with matters that have nothing to do with worshiping (such as side talks, chats, or taking photos) is not advisable. It is rather disapproved, for it contradicts with the purposes for which the mosque was founded: to pray, read the Quran, and invocate Allah. But to take photos while circumambulating the Kaaba (tawaf), or to stay at the mosque to let people know about that, is almost religiously forbidden (haraam), for contradiction with devotion.

The statement stressed, besides, that commercial dealings (buying and selling), unless extremely necessary, are forbidden as well. Such necessary actions include hiring a wheel chair by those unable to walk. They asked for allocating a place outside the Grand Mosque for hiring such wheel chairs.

In their statement, the participants explained that the first row of prayers is the row where the Imam stands. Rows before the Imam are not to be considered "first rows" from the religious point of view, even though they might be so from the linguistic point of view. Prayers must not precede the Imam unless in cases of congestion.

The statement pointed out that if tawaf (circumambulation) is interrupted for a reasonable excuse, it may be resumed; there is nothing wrong about this. But if tawaf is interrupted for no reason, and for a considerable interval, it must be restarted afresh.

The scientists added, in the statement, that Mas'a (the place of ritual running between al-Safa and al-Marwa hills) is a separate place, independent from the Grand Mosque, with separate religious provisions. And being connected to the mosque in terms of place, does not mean that the Mas'a would have the same provisions as the Grand Mosque.

The participants recommended exerting more effort studying and investigating the Grand Mosque-related provisions, and collecting them in an encyclopedia, under the name: "Grand Mosque Provisions Encyclopedia".

They recommended, also, forming a joint committee from Umm al-Qura University (UQU), as represented by the College of Shariah, and the General Presidency of Haramein, to prepare brief brochures and flyers explaining the Grand Mosque etiquette and provisions, using a simple and clear language, and translating them into other languages. Another committee is to be formed to develop the Meccan Sanctuary Institute and the Meccan Sanctuary College, to function as the kernel of the Meccan Sanctuary University.

Over and above, the statement recommended studying the historical aspects of the Grand Mosque more thoroughly, given the fact that it is still an intact, stimulating area for researchers in this prosperous reign. They recommended, also, holding more and more of such symposia, given their positive impact and fruitful outcomes.

As the symposium drew to a close, the participants thanked the Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmed al-Eissa, the UQU President, Dr. Bakri bin Maatooq Assas, the General President of the Haramein Affairs, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz al-Sudeis, for holding this symposium.

They extended thanks to the General Presidency of Haramein Affairs for its fruitful collaboration in this respect, and to the UQU College of Shariah and Islamic Studies for showing keen interest in holding such symposia and seminars.

Noteworthy, the symposium was held under the theme: "The Grand Mosque: Virtues, Etiquette, and Provisions". Participating in the symposium were eminent sheikhs, scholars, and imams. In the symposium, 15 papers were submitted on five topics over four sessions, including: Virutes of the Grand Mosque, Private and Public Grand Mosque Etiquette, Grand Mosque Architecture in the Saudi Reign, Journeys of Devout Ment to the Grand Mosque.