COVID-19: Saudi Arabia to close Mecca, Medina mosques in Ramadan
Plan to distribute iftar meals in Mecca, Medina after service suspended in two mosques
Cairo: Daily and the nightly Taraweeh prayers will be held in the two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia without worshippers in the month of Ramadan as part of precautions to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, according to a senior official.
The kingdom so far has reported 10,484 coronavirus cases including 103 deaths.
The ritual of Itikaf or going into seclusion in Ramadan will also be suspended in the Holy Mosque in Mecca and in the Prophet Mohammad Mosque in Ramadan, added Abdul Rahman Al Sudeis, the general president of both sites’ affairs.
He said that parcels of iftar meals in Ramadan will be distributed in Mecca and Medina during Ramadan after a decision was taken to halt serving iftar in the two holy mosques in an effort to contain the virus.
The meals will be distributed in cooperation with authorities in both holy cities, Al Sudeis said.
In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has put in place a host of measures against the virus including halting the Umrah journeys to Mecca and Medina and locking down several areas in the kingdom.