MUSCAT: The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA) in Dhofar has addressed concerns raised on social media regarding the Prophet Ayub shrine at Jabal Itin, which has been under discussion on social media, saying a group of specialists from the Directorate has inspected the site and addressed the issues raised.
“Upon receiving such concerns from the general public on social media, our officials immediately visited the site and inspected the facts mentioned in the messages to resolve the reported issues. It is to be noted that the current site challenges are primarily due to significant visitor congestion during the Khareef season, limited space around the tomb and the shrine, and intense seasonal fog that is causing water retention inside,” a representative from the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs told the Observer.
However, while welcoming public feedback, the authority stressed the importance of utilising official communication channels for authentic news and information. It further warned that sharing unsubstantiated complaints on social media to incite public opinion may lead to legal accountability. The Directorate remains committed to maintaining the integrity of these sacred sites for all visitors.
“Never rely on the news shared by unauthorised people or pages for any information, but people are advised to depend upon official channels for reliable information, as acting upon information disseminated by unfounded news sources will attract legal proceedings,” he further said.
The Prophet Ayub shrine is a revered religious landmark located on the summit of Jabal Itin in the Al Qara mountains, about 25 km northwest of Salalah, accessible by car via the road towards Ayn Jarziz. The site is considered sacred as it features a domed mausoleum, a stone bearing a footprint, and scenic mountain viewpoints. Inside the quiet complex is a 4-metre (about 13-feet) long grave, traditionally covered with green cloth, along with a sacred footprint preserved in stone.
Managed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, some of the visitors recently complained of delays, congestion and limited space due to the heavy Khareef fog, narrow internal space, and high visitor congestion during peak seasons.
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