Covid-19 protocols for Taraweeh in the Two Holy Mosques

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has approved performing a reduced version of Taraweeh prayers at the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, with the continued suspension of entry of worshipers, the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdul Rahman As-Sudais, also said that special night prayers performed during the holy month of Ramzan will be held without public attendance at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The statements came amid reports that the mosques had re-opened their doors to the general public and 20 or reduced-to-10 Taraweeh prayers will be held at the mosques.

While it has been confirmed that the prayers will be shortened to five Tasleemat (i.e. 10 Rak’ahs), claims regarding the mosques being opened for pilgrims have been rubbished as authorities say only limited employees and workers will be allowed group prayers at the two holiest sites of Islam during Ramzan.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has also prepared a comprehensive plan for the implementation of coronavirus precautionary measures during Ramzan, which other than including the continued suspension of allowing worshipers to enter the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, also includes increasing the sterilization processes and thermal testing of every person entering for funeral rites.

The Ramzan group iftars which were traditionally held in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque were assigned to Mecca and Medina’s provincial authorities to distribute iftar meals while maintaining the necessary health precautions.

According to the precautionary health measures, there will be no Itikaf [or keeping vigil] inside the Two Holy Mosques.

The attendance of employees at the Two Holy Mosques will continue to be restricted to the absolutely necessary workers, and operations of maintenance will be conducted depending on priority and in accordance with the precautionary measures.

Last week, the Saudi government had announced that Taraweeh prayers will be performed at homes during Ramzan as suspension of prayers at mosques will not be lifted due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Saudi Arabia had also announced to ease curfews imposed in several cities in order to facilitate people to head out for essential needs.