Ruling on Preventing Transforming a Mosque into a Kindergarten in Favor of the Ministry of Education"
Date: (14th of Rabi'ul-Akhir, 1442 AH), corresponding to (2/12/2020 AD).
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
In its 13nth meeting held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa` reviewed the letter No. 4/2/3/4783 sent from His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf, Holy Sites and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh. This letter reads as follows: Is it possible to transform the Old Mosque of Granada (Constructed on endowed land No. (173)-(5), Madaba), along with its annexes, into a kindergarten at the request of the Ministry of Education/ Madaba Qhasaba District? It is worth pointing that there is another mosque in the same area, which is the New Mosque of Granada.
After careful consideration, the Board has arrived at the following decision:
In principle, a religious endowment is bound by the conditions of the endower and should meet the purpose for which it was established in the first place. Consequently, a mosque may not be transformed into something else, such as kindergarten or other. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh
Dr. Mahmoud al-Sartawi, Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member
Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member
Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat (I think it is permissible), Member
Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat/Member
Dr. Amjad Rasheed/Member
Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member
Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member