HIBAPRESS
An announcement issued by the At-Taubah mosque in the Dutch city of IJsselstein has sparked a wave of discussion and controversy on social media, after it announced the adoption of a new policy during the month of Ramadan 2026 under the slogan: “Vol = Vol” (Full = No Entry).
The announcement stated that participation in Ramadan prayers will be reserved for members who have paid their annual contribution, set at 180 euros per year. It also indicated the possibility of registering on the spot with payment of the amount, or settling arrears for members who have incomplete contributions. According to the announcement, the mosque administration justified this measure by the need to organize the number of worshipers during the month of Ramadan, which sees a large turnout, and to ensure priority entry for members committed to their contributions, as well as to achieve fairness among those who support the mosque financially on a regular basis. The announcement affirmed that entry to prayers will be exclusive to those who have met the conditions of the contribution, within the framework of what the administration described as an organizational policy, not an exclusionary one. The decision sparked mixed reactions between supporters and opponents. While some followers considered that the matter falls within the framework of a normal administrative organization, especially with the limited capacity, others saw that linking entry to the mosque to a financial subscription could be understood as a restriction on the principle of making houses of worship available to all. Critics questioned whether it was appropriate to impose a financial contribution as a basic condition for attending Ramadan prayers, while supporters defended the decision as a means to ensure the continuity of funding for the mosque's activities and operational costs. So far, no additional official comment has been issued to clarify whether the policy will be strictly applied throughout the month, or if there are exceptions for special social cases.
