Aitekaf to resume after 2 years at Holy Mosques in Saudia
RIAZ ( Web News )
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) government has decided to resume Aitekaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Ramazan after two years.
According to a report by the Saudi Gazette on Wednesday the announcement has been made by Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, in an annual meeting held to launch the presidency’s plan for this year’s Ramazan.
He said that the presidency will soon start issuing permits through its official website. “They will be in line with specific conditions and set criteria,” Al-Sudais added.
The presidency, earlier, launched an online portal to provide guidelines and registration facilities to worshippers intending to perform Aitekaf.
The religious ritual of staying in mosques for the sole purpose of worship and meditation is observed during Ramazan. The report stated that as many as 100,000 worshipers perform Aitekaf at the two holy mosques during the last 10 days of the holy month.However, it was suspended for the last two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia lifted most Covid restrictions including social distancing in public spaces and quarantine for vaccinated arrivals, moves that could facilitate the arrival of Muslim pilgrims.