Saudi Gazette reported that the Saudi Arabian government will soon allow worshippers other than the Umrah pilgrims to perform tawaf at the Kaabah.
The Eatmarna and Tawakkalna apps will soon add a new feature, “Tawaf,” by the coming weekend to immediately work on facilitating non-Umrah worshippers to book appointments for the performance of tawaf sunnah.
This easing is in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs announcement, which has allowed the Haram Mosque to accommodate pilgrims and worshipers at full capacity last month.
In addition, the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications will also soon present options that allow pilgrims to book appointments to kiss Hajar Aswad (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad), touch Yemeni corner (Al-Rukn Al-Yamaami), and perform prayer at Hijr Ismail.
The best services and facilities will also be provided so that pilgrims and worshippers can perform their rituals with ease and comfort.
These new features will be activated to improve the performance of enhanced applications related to services at the Two Holy Mosques, which of course, will still follow precautions and preventive protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the commander of the Special Forces for the security of Hajj and Umrah Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al Bassami, the first floor of the Haram Mosque, will be dedicated to tawaf for non-Umrah pilgrims, and the tawaf feature will soon be added to the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications.
Al Bassami added that the time provided for tawaf of non-Umrah pilgrims is outside the times of prayers during morning and evening from 06:00 to 10:00 and from 12:00 to 15:00.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will work closely with all concerned agencies to successfully activate the tawaf feature on the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications available this weekend, which coincides with a short holiday at the end of the first semester of education.
Al Bassami added that preparations are underway to facilitate the first floor of the mataf (the area surrounding the Kaabah) and the Masjidil Haram to receive worshippers who were predicted to come in large numbers.
And although there has been an easing of health protocols in the Kingdom, pilgrims and pilgrims are still required to wear masks at all times when they are within the Masjid al Haram and its courtyards.