Foolproof security to foil attacks

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has tightened security around more than 94,000 mosques across the country, following two terrorist attacks on mosques in Qatif and Dammam during the past weeks.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said it has been working with security agencies to protect worshippers at all mosques. “We have adopted new mechanisms for the protection of worshippers,” a ministry official said, without disclosing details.
Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, confirmed the coordination between the Islamic Affairs Ministry and the Public Security department. “We have a plan to double the number of patrol police during Ramadan,” he said in comments published by the Arabic press.
There are about 94,300 mosques in the Kingdom. “We have intensive security measures around mosques following the attack on Al-Qadeeh Mosque in Qatif,” the ministry official said.
Security officers would be deployed to monitor mosques during Friday prayers. “People will not be allowed to pray in the courtyards for their own safety,” the official said.
Abdul Rahman Al-Othman, imam and khateeb of a mosque in Dammam, said it is the duty of everyone, not only the police, to protect mosques. “Following the two terrorist attacks, instructions have been given to take precautions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the four victims of Al-Anoud Mosque attack were buried in a graveyard on Dammam-Jubail Expressway.
Ali Al-Salman, imam of Imam Al-Hussein Mosque where the blast took place, led the funeral prayers and praised the role played by the victims in protecting worshippers.
A large number of people attended the funeral from various parts of the Kingdom. Fatma Al-Arbash, mother of two victims Mohammed and Abdul Jaleel Al-Arbash, said the death of her sons had strengthened the family’s faith in God. Her brother’s son, Mohammed Hassan Al-Eissa, also died in the attack.