Government | Thursday 11 June, 2015 1:51 am |

The Shoura Council has asked the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques to count worshippers in Makkah and Madinah so that accurate statistics can be compiled for a new database.

This proposal was made at the 45th ordinary session of the Shoura during a discussion of a report from the presidency for the year 2013/2014. The report was read out by Falih Al-Sughair, chairman of the Shoura’s Islamic and judicial affairs committee, said Assistant House Speaker Yahya Al-Samaan.
The members recommended that all future reports of the presidency should contain detailed information on delayed and incomplete projects, its propagation plan and payment of allowances to field workers. They also said that the presidency must report on its performance based on agreed indicators.
Earlier, the Shoura discussed a report presented by the committee of human rights and regulatory bodies on a project undertaken by the national committee on combating corruption.
The Shoura also approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the area of communication and information technology between the Saudi Communication and Information Technology Commission and Algerian Telecommunications and Posts Authority. This followed discussion on a report presented by the transport and communications committee.

Subject of sermons
Dalal Al-Harbi, a member, said it was unclear why the Shoura did not discuss her proposal, which called for sermons at the two holy mosques to deal with global issues. Al-Harbi said the reason behind delay could have been the sensitivity of the matter. She had sent the proposal to the head of the Shoura in February.
Al-Harbi said that Friday sermons at the two holy mosques should not be limited to local matters because Umrah pilgrims come from all parts of the world and are often not interested in domestic issues.