Prophet's Mosque welcomes 4,000 mu'takifs from 120 countries

Dubai: As the final ten days of Ramadan commenced, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina opened its doors to 4,000 male and female mu’takifs from 120 countries.

Iʿtikāf is a spiritual retreat or seclusion in a mosque, during which a Muslim devotes themselves exclusively to worship, prayer, Quran recitation, and reflection, distancing from worldly distractions.

The figure aligns with the capacity allocated for the Itikaf service this year, a ritual where worshippers devote themselves to prayer and reflection in seclusion within the mosque.

Mu’takifs arrived at their designated worship areas—among them the western roof, accessible via stairways 6 and 10, and the northeastern section near gates 24 and 25A—where arrangements have been made to support their peaceful spiritual retreat.

The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has mobilized an extensive range of services to facilitate a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for the participants. These include dedicated service desks, luggage storage lockers, medical clinics, first aid stations, and multilingual translation support to accommodate the diverse group of worshippers.

In addition, religious lessons, daily iftar, dinner, and suhoor meals, along with mobile charging stations and personal care kits, are being provided to ensure comfort without compromising the sanctity of the seclusion experience.

Each mu’takif is also issued a bracelet granting access to specific zones, allowing for better organization and streamlined access to available services.