1,000 Riyal Fine Imposed for Feeding Pigeons near Masjid al Haram
The Secretariat of the Holy Capital has implemented a strict ban on feeding pigeons in Mecca and Medina, with violators facing fines of 1,000 Saudi riyals.
The new regulation, announced to protect public health and maintain environmental cleanliness in Islam’s two holiest cities.
The secretariat has established continuous monitoring programs to enforce the ban and is encouraging citizens and visitors to participate in reporting violations.
Individuals can photograph offenders and submit evidence to local police, creating a community-based enforcement system.
Officials cite concerns about disease transmission, property damage, and environmental pollution as primary reasons for the prohibition.
The initiative represents the latest in a series of measures to enhance urban quality and public health standards in the holy cities, which host millions of pilgrims annually.
Previous regulations have addressed street vending, waste management, and public behavior to preserve the sanctity and cleanliness of the religious sites.
Municipal officials emphasized that the ban particularly targets areas around the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, where large pigeon populations have historically gathered due to public feeding.
Photo Exhibition “Uzbekistan – The Land of Tolerance” Held in Tashkent
As part of the “Week of Tolerance”, which encompasses various events aimed at strengthening interethnic and interfaith friendship, harmony, and solidarity across our country, a photo exhibition entitled “Uzbekistan – The Land of Tolerance” was held at the Tashkent House of Photography.
The event was attended by representatives and staff of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries, the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, activists of national cultural centers and friendship societies, representatives of religious confessions, and members of the media.
The exhibition featured more than 100 photographs reflecting events organized in cooperation with national cultural centers and friendship societies, as well as the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of various ethnic and religious communities living in Uzbekistan.
It should be noted that today, over 130 nationalities and ethnic groups, along with representatives of 16 religious confessions, live in Uzbekistan in an atmosphere of tolerance, friendship, and unity. Events held within the framework of the Week of Tolerance are among the noble initiatives that call the peoples of the world to peace and solidarity.
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan – Press Service
