Eid Al Fitr prayers: Nearly 2,500 mosques ready for worshippers

Cairo: Approximately 2,477 mosques and prayer areas in the Saudi region of Mecca, home to Islam's holiest site, have been prepared to welcome worshippers for the Eid Al Fitr prayer following the end of Ramadan.

Preparations include maintenance, cleaning, sterilizing, and fumigation of the mosques. Authorities have also regulated entrances and exits to ensure a smooth flow of worshippers, checked audio systems, air conditioning units, and lighting equipment, and designated prayer halls for women.

Increased influx and Eid preparations

During Ramadan, Mecca has seen an influx of worshippers at the Grand Mosque, prompting stepped-up efforts by authorities to provide comfort and ease for those performing the rites. Muslims perform a special prayer early in the morning on the first day of Eid Al Fitr, which is expected to begin on Sunday (tomorrow), subject to the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif Al Al Sheikh earlier directed all branches of the ministry across the kingdom to conduct the Eid prayer in all mosques except those adjacent to designated Eid prayer sites. In a circular, he emphasized the importance of early preparation for the Eid Al Fitr prayer and ensuring that designated sites have all necessary services, including maintenance and cleaning. The circular also specified that the Eid prayer should commence 15 minutes after sunrise, according to the Umm Al Qura calendar, across all regions of Saudi Arabia.

Some 19,887 mosques across Saudi Arabia are prepared for the Eid prayer. These places of worship are fully equipped, furnished, maintained, and cleaned in accordance with the highest quality standards, according to the Saudi news agency SPA.