Ramadan 2025: Prophet’s Mosque in Medina sets Iftar rules

Cairo: Providers of the Iftar (fast-ending) service at the Prophet’s Mosque in the Saudi city of Medina during the upcoming fasting month will be able to add two items to the basic menu of food, authorities in charge of the holy site have said.

The basic items for the sunset meal include dates, bread, yogurt, wrapped tissues and water.

The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques said the additional food items should consist of nuts, cupcakes, a pie, maamoul (a filled cookie), cream or stuffed dates.

The agency has called on the service providers to update their data as an essential condition for the continuation of the service and contracting accredited catering companies.

These companies are required to obtain a permit as one of the main conditions for contracting and providing meals.

The Authority has also requested the catering firms to communicate with a coordinator in the Prophet’s Mosque on delivering the Iftar meals to transport them to the designated fast-ending location.

Additionally, the agency has outlined a set of requirements for catering companies, which should be based in Medina and registered as catering contractors for the annual Islamic Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.

Other requirements include that such a company should have an area with its affiliated facilities not less than 600 square metres, and designated sites for packing and packaging, with the provision of at least three licensed well-equipped vehicles for transporting refrigerated meals.

Moreover, the company should have a certificate of quality and experience in the field of catering along with well-trained personnel, and provide evidence that its record is free of violations over the past two years.