Jaafari Endowments Council reviews Ashura season preparations

ManamaThe Jaafari Endowments Council held its annual meeting with the heads of the maatem (community centres) and those in charge of them, as well as representatives of the authorities responsible for organising the Ashoora commemoration and Husseini processions. Yousif bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Jaffari Endowments Council, commended the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their support of religious rituals, particularly during the Ashoora, and the support of national entities and institutions to seamlessly conduct the commemoration of this occasion annually. Al Saleh congratulated HM King Hamad, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the people of Bahrain, on the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of HM the King's accession. He hailed HM King Hamad's pardon decrees, noting their positive impact on consolidating national unity and social cohesion. The chairman commended th e efforts of the Ministry of Interior, guided by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, in safeguarding the Kingdom's security and stability. Al Saleh also commended the efforts of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), headed by Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, in supporting places of worship and various religious rituals. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, led by Minister Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, as well as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, the Ministry of Works, and the Electricity and Water Authority, and all other government entities. The Jaafari Endowments Council has insured 1,440 places of worship, including 707 mosques and 673 maatem (community centres), as part of its efforts to protect religious facilities against potential risks and damage, Al Saleh added. Al Saleh highlighted the health and safety measures undertaken duri ng the Ashoora, in coordination with the General Directorate of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Health, to implement a series of awareness and guidance works for mosques, maatem, Hussieniyas, and 'madheef' (hospitality booths). He said that the council has organised a series of first aid courses for staff working in places of worship, in cooperation with the 'Life Pulse' team. The courses involve the participation of those in charge of mosques and maatem and are supervised by a group of qualified trainers proficient in delivering basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. For his part, Isa Sami Al Mannai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, underscored the ministry's support of the Jaafari Endowments Council, in coordination with official authorities and heads of maatem and Husseiniyas, to ensure the success of Ashoora. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate, emphasised the i mportance of enhancing community cooperation to serve maatem and Husseini processions during Ashoora. For his part, Major General Dr. Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Deputy Chief of Public Security, underscored the Ministry of Interior's commitment, guided by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah, Ministry of Interior, in commemorating Ashoora. Source: Bahrain News Agency