As reported by the official website of Haramain Sharifain, it is known that Saudi Arabia has allowed the ritual I’tikaf in the Two Holy Mosques to resume during the Holy Month of Ramadan after being suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was conveyed directly by the Head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais. He explained that registration for I’tikaf in the Two Holy Mosques which will take place in the last ten days of Ramadan, will open on the 25th of Sha’ban (28 March) and will close on the 10th of Ramadan.
I’tikaf is the ritual of staying in the mosque for the last ten days of Ramadan to devote ourselves to worship and stay away from worldly affairs. In Ramadan 2020, I’tikaf in the Two Holy Mosques was suspended due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued until Ramadan 2021 as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
The implementation of I’tikaf in the Two Holy Mosques this Ramadan will be monitored and under the direct supervision of the general president, the Coordinating Council, and the field team.
Al Sudais explained that prospective pilgrims interested in doing I’tikaf could soon register on the online portal provided by the Presidency.
In addition, the Presidency will allocate lockers and rooms for applicants starting from the 16th of Ramadan. In 2019, the Presidency provided worshipers with lockers with keys to store their belongings, including a prayer rug, pillow, light bed sheet, and ihram clothes.
In previous years, the Two Holy Mosques were usually filled with more than 100,000 worshipers who performed Itikaf during the last ten days of the holy month.
Congregants who wish to register for Itikaf can register at the following link:
Masjid Al Haram , Makkah: https://bit.ly/3qlx6HU
Masjid Al Nabawi, Medina: https://bit.ly/3Nwf4Ck
