Grand Mosque of Mecca Finalizes Preparations for Itikaf
A Saudi state agency in charge of the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site in Mecca, has finalized preparations to receive Muslims who have registered for undertaking the Islamic rite of Itikaf or seclusion in the last 10 days of the current month of Ramadan, an official has said.
E-registration of Itikaf applications has been completed and separate places have been designated at the mosques for the Itikaf worshippers, added Abdullah Al Suli, the deputy chief of the General Presidency for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques for Guidance Affairs.
“No Itikaf will be allowed in other sites inside the mosque or its courtyards,” he said, without giving figures about the eligible Itikaf applicants.
“Itikaf at the Sacred Mosque is handled according to thorough plans whereby human resources and equipment are harnessed to provide a system of integrated services meeting needs of male and female worshippers during the month of Ramadan,” the official added.
The General Presidency opened registration for Itikaf on the first day of Ramadan that started on March 23 and said applications would be received until the permitted number of people wishing to perform Itikaf is registered.
Itikaf means a Muslim stays at a mosque for the sole purpose of worshipping and coming closer to Allah, following the example of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The ritual is usually performed in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Chief of the General Presidency for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Abdulrahman Al Sudais had earlier said the sites at the Grand Mosque can accommodate nearly 2,500 Itikaf worshippers as part of an operation plan for Ramadan.
Last year, Saudi Arabia allowed Itikaf to return during Ramadan to the Grand Mosque after a suspension of two years due to pandemic-induced restrictions.
Source: gulfnews.com
