MADINAH: The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is currently hosting 4,000 Itikaf (dedicated prayer) observers from 120 nationalities, who are spending their time in 48 designated locations within the mosque.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has provided 12 on-site services to care for Itikaf observers, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
During this time, they dedicate themselves to acts of worship, including prayer, Quran recitation, and supplication, until the conclusion of the Itikaf period on the last night of Ramadan.
The services provided to Itikaf observers include daily meals, water supply, and a spiritually uplifting environment, along with personal and health services.
Additional offerings include multilingual translation, informative screens explaining Itikaf requirements, luggage storage lockers, medical and first aid clinics, sleeping and comfort essentials, laundry services, mobile device charging stations, and a personal care kit for each observer.
To ease access, each Itikaf observer is also provided with a wristband for smooth entry and exit from designated Itikaf areas.
The authority has urged Itikaf observers to adhere to several requirements throughout this period, including dedicating their time to prayer and other acts of worship, avoiding disturbances during tarawih and night prayers, maintaining tranquillity within the Prophet’s Mosque, wearing clean and presentable attire, using pleasant fragrances, and refraining from any behaviour that may inconvenience fellow observers.
Observers are encouraged to help maintain the cleanliness of the mosque, store their belongings in designated lockers, stay within their assigned areas based on their registration number, follow health guidelines, and adhere to safety instructions when using designated pathways for entry and exit.
Additionally, bringing unauthorized food, beverages, or luggage into the Itikaf areas, holding study sessions, receiving visitors, or bringing children to the Itikaf sites are strictly prohibited.
