Amman, Nov. 13 (Petra)-- The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced on Thursday the implementation of an emergency plan to address weather-related challenges during the winter season.
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, issued a circular to all Awqaf directors across the Kingdom, instructing them to ensure the readiness of mosques and related facilities, and to take the necessary precautionary measures to maintain their safety and functionality through proper maintenance work.
The emergency plan includes identifying areas most prone to flooding or snow accumulation, conducting technical inspections of mosques, and assessing their structural integrity to mitigate potential risks during the winter.
The Ministry also emphasized coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality and local municipalities to take preventive actions for mosques located below street level or near sewage and drainage lines. This includes inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, ensuring manholes are secure, and using sandbags to prevent water ingress.
The measures also cover verifying the safety of mosque sewage networks and internal electrical systems. Certain mosques have been designated as emergency shelters in case of disasters, to be equipped with blankets, mattresses, heaters, and food supplies in cooperation with local Zakat Committees.
The plan further calls for the removal or filling of old, unused cesspools, replacement of damaged manhole covers within mosque compounds, and provision of rechargeable flashlights for use during power outages. Maintenance work will also include fixing shades and zinc sheets around mosques, securing solar panels, supplying extra gas cylinders for heating, and ensuring the safety of water pumps, external walls, and minarets.
Additional measures include cleaning and maintaining internal drainage systems, clearing roof gutters, and preventing water accumulation on rooftops. The Ministry also directed the preparation of emergency supplies such as food, blankets, and winter clothing to assist families affected by floods or housing collapses.
Imams and muezzins were instructed to use mosque loudspeakers to broadcast official safety announcements and, when necessary, guide worshippers to perform prayers at home if reaching the mosque poses a danger. They were also reminded to ensure the safety of diesel storage areas, keeping them clean, secure, and away from electrical systems and storage areas for carpets and furniture.
Other safety measures include turning off lights and electrical appliances in offices and restrooms after prayers, installing anti-slip strips on mosque stairs, and displaying emergency contact numbers for authorities such as Civil Defense, electricity, water, and municipal services.
The plan also calls for regular pruning of trees near mosque entrances, clearing fallen leaves, maintaining air conditioners, ensuring directorates’ emergency vehicles and equipment are fully ready, and verifying that mosque minarets are safely installed and structurally sound.
This comprehensive plan aims to protect worshippers and maintain the functionality of mosques across the Kingdom throughout the winter season.
//Petra// MF
