MAKKAH – Daily obligatory Five prayers,Taraweeh Special prayers,Iftar Meal & Itikaf (the ritual of staying in a mosque solely for the purpose of worship and meditation) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah & the Prophet’s Mosque In Madinah during the upcoming month of Ramadan has been suspended.
Coronavirus precautionary measure
This was announced by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on its Twitter account on Monday. it said, has come as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, also confirmed the suspension of the daily five obligatory prayers, taraweeh special prayers, and iftar meal during the holy fasting month to safeguard the health of worshipers and visitors.
Only presidency officials & sterilization workers will pray at Holy mosques during the blessed month
He said that the five daily prayers and taraweeh prayers at the Two Holy Mosques will be performed only by the presidency officials and sterilization workers during the blessed month.
Saudi Gazette reported that Taraweeh prayers will be shortened to 10 rakats, Sheikh Al-Sudais said adding that the qunut prayer will be brief and focused on praying to God to end the epidemic.