Khober, Asharq Al-Awsat- With the beginning of Ramadan, more than 300 tents have been set up in various locations in the Al Khobar region of Saudi Arabia to feed approximately 100,000 people at sunset. The total cost expected for these tents may reach 12 million Saudi Riyals (SR) as a single meal costs four SR. The imams of mosques in Al-Khobar are prepared for receiving this vast number of people and have signed contracts with restaurants to supply the meals.
The capacity of each tent differs, ranging between 90 and 500 per tent. A number of businessmen in the industry have donated their tents and have arranged for them to be set up in front of mosques. Abdullah Al Youssef the Imam of Aisha mosque in Al-Khobar said that the tent set up in front of this mosque holds over 100 people and frequently, the crowd extends to outside the tent. He also mentioned that some non-Muslims attend and eat with the others. Such times are useful to familiarize non-Muslims with the companionship amongst Muslims. Several non-Muslims have accepted Islam after visiting these tents in Al Khobar over the last few years.
Meanwhile, the Imams of Al Khobar mosques have also finished their preparations to receive the groups of worshippers in Ramadan who come to pray. The most popular mosques in Al-Khobar are the Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Al Khoudary, Al Muhaidab, and Al Nour in the city center of Al Khobar. The number of mosques in Al Khobar is approximately 300.