Haram authority provides diverse services to 4000 itikaf observers from 120 countries at Prophet’s Mosque

Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH— 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 4,000 itikaf observers from 120 nationalities, who are spending their period of itikaf in 48 designated areas within the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Itikaf is a ritual of remaining in seclusion at a mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan. During this time, they dedicate themselves to acts of worship, including prayer, Qur’an 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 services, and personal and health services. The services also include multilingual translation, awareness and guidance screens explaining the itikaf requirements, luggage storage lockers, medical and first aid clinics, sleeping and comfort essentials, laundry services, charging stations for mobile devices, and a personal care kit for each observer. Each itikaf observer also receives a wristband to facilitate entry and exit from the 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 tranquility within the Prophet’s Mosque, wearing clean and presentable attire, using pleasant fragrances, and refraining from any behavior that may inconvenience fellow observers.

They are also encouraged to contribute to keeping the mosque clean, ensure their belongings are stored in designated lockers, remain within their assigned areas according to their registration number, follow health guidelines, and comply with safety instructions when using movement pathways for entry and exit. It is also prohibited to bring unauthorized food, beverages, or luggage into the itikaf areas, hold study sessions, receive visitors, or bring children to the itikaf sites.