Itikaf will resume at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina during the upcoming Ramadan after a two-year suspension, according to the Saudi Gazette.
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The announcement was made by Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
Al-Sudais said the presidency would soon begin issuing permits for worshippers wishing to observe Itikaf at the two holy mosques through its official website.
However, he noted that worshippers would be required to meet specific conditions and criteria, which will be announced by the authorities.
Itikaf is a religious practice observed during Ramadan in which Muslims remain inside a mosque for worship, prayer and spiritual reflection, particularly during the final 10 days of the holy month.
The ritual was suspended at the two holy mosques in 2020 following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension continued in 2021 as part of precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, according to the Saudi Gazette.
The resumption of Itikaf will allow worshippers to once again perform the ritual at the two holiest mosques in Islam.
Before the suspension, as many as 100,000 worshippers reportedly observed Itikaf at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during the final 10 days of Ramadan.
The upcoming permit process is expected to provide authorities with a mechanism to regulate the number of worshippers and ensure that required conditions are followed.
Further details regarding eligibility, application procedures and other requirements are expected to be announced when the permit system opens.
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