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An aerial view of deserted Grand Mosque on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia April 24. Image Credit: Reuters

Cairo: Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has approved the performance of the Eid Al Fitr prayer on Sunday in the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, a senior official said.

No worshippers will be allowed to attend the prayers in both sites as part of restrictions in place against the novel coronavirus, head of the presidency responsible for affairs of the two mosques Abdul Rahman Al Sudeis added.

“This decision reflects keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to keep this great ritual for Muslims amid this pandemic that has hit the whole world,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has suspended congregation prayers in its mosques as part of strict precautions to curb the spread of the virus.

Authorities have said muezzins of mosques across the kingdom will be allowed to pronounce Eid takbeers via loudspeakers but without performing the prayer due to the anti-virus precautions.

Saudi Arabia has started enforcing a round-the-clock nationwide curfew continuing until Wednesday to stem the spread of the COVID-19.