KING SALMAN APPROVES TARAWIH PRAYERS IN TWO HOLY MOSQUES REDUCING THEM TO 10 RAKA’ATS

Mon 12 April 2021:

Tarawih, Qyam and Isha’a prayers will be combined and shortened during the holy month of Ramadan in all of Saudi Arabia’s mosques, the Kingdom’s Two Holy Mosques Affairs Presidency said on Sunday.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance clarified that the committee concerned with reviewing the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Health recommended that the Tarawih and Qiyam prayers to be combined with evening (Isha) prayer, and not exceed 30 minutes in all mosques of the Kingdom, SPA reported.

This recommendation was issued in order to reduce the length of the worshipers presence, which contributes to limiting the spread of the virus due to the risks that may arise during the blessed month of Ramadan in the time of prayers and Tarawih. The epidemiological situation currently requires taking strict precautionary measures in mosques to avoid the high rates of infection with the virus.

In a statement, the Ministry affirmed to the employees of mosques and worshipers to take all precautionary measures when going to mosques, including bringing a special prayer rug, wearing a mask, keeping a physical distance and cooperating in righteousness and piety in maintaining the health and safety of visitors of mosques.

The nighttime prayers during Ramadan, including Isha’a, Tarawih and Qyam will be combined and will not exceed 30 minutes in all of the mosques across the Kingdom, state TV Saudia reported. This is a measure to reduce the time worshippers spend inside mosques as a coronavirus precaution.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz earlier approved reducing Tarawih prayers to 10 Rakats, the presidency said.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the decision was based on King Salman’s keenness to continue holding rituals in both mosques and to harness all means available to help worshippers to perform rites in a safe environment that met all international health standards.

He added that the presidency was deploying all its resources to serve pilgrims and worshippers during Ramadan.

The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins this week for the world’s more than one billion Muslims, during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. Tarawih is an evening prayer performed during Ramadan, in addition to the nightly Isha’a prayer which is one of the five daily prayers.

The General Administration for Safety and Security at the Grand Holy Mosque will be implementing social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus among worshippers.

Worshipers will be separated in designated sterilized and disinfected prayer halls and staff will enforce social distancing, state news agency SPA reported.

Thermal imaging cameras will be used to monitor those who enter the Grand Mosque, and the staff will work to disband any gatherings or mass crowding.

“After obtaining necessary permits, a total of 100,000 worshippers will be admitted to the Grand Mosque as per the Saudi Third Expansion,” SPA said.

Umrah during Ramadan

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that starting from Ramadan 1, permits for Umrah, prayers and visits to the Two Holy Mosques would be granted to people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, according to availability from the Tawakkalna app, ArabNews reported

The ministry also said that Umrah permits may be obtained through hotels surrounding the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.

Authorities said last week that only pilgrims with permits would be allowed to enter the Grand Mosque and perform Umrah prayers during the month and until the end of the pandemic.

The ministry, in coordination with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, said the hotels would be able to issue Umrah permits only, without permits to pray in the Grand Mosque, through the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps in accordance with regulatory requirements and approved health protocols.

The ministry said that this was in addition to the previously announced controls and mechanisms for issuing Umrah and prayer permits in the Grand Mosque during Ramadan for those who met the health requirements, so that the services facilitated to pilgrims from both the public and private sectors were a success.