Saudi: Two Holy Mosques To Miss Prayer-Seekers In Ramadan

The Saudi authorities announced the continuation of the suspension of the performance of the five daily prayers and Tarawih prayers in the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina during the holy month of Ramadan, against the backdrop of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

A few hours ago, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques reported late Monday that the Saudi authorities decided "In accordance with the precautionary measures to suspend i'tikaaf" at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina "during the holy month of Ramadan for this year.”

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Tarawih refers to additional ritual prayers performed by Muslims at night after the evening prayer called Isha’ during the holy month of Ramadan.

Iʿtikāf is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days, devoting oneself to worship during these days and staying away from worldly affairs.

In the same context, the General President of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, said that the Saudi King, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his crown prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are following the conditions of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque “first-hand” and they are watching the related precautionary measures.

Al-Sudais stressed that the decision stipulates that "The continued suspension of the attendance of worshipers for the five prayers and Tarawih prayers in the blessed month of Ramadan to preserve the health of the praying persons according to the recommendations followed by the competent authorities."

"The presidency of the Two Holy Mosques in the holy month of Ramadan is centered on precaution, and the intensification of sterilization operations,” he added.

On March 19, the Saudi authorities announced the suspension of prayers in the arenas of the Two Holy Mosques as part of measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

As of Monday, 10,484 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 were recorded in Saudi Arabia, including 103 deaths.