Ramadan 2025: Saudi Arabia's Mecca and Medina mosques to accommodate 10,000 Itikaf worshippers

Cairo: Saudi authorities have completed preparations for accommodating 10,000 Muslim worshippers who have registered for observing the Islamic ritual of Itikaf or seclusion in the last part of the current sacred month of Ramadan in the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

Itikaf means a Muslim stays in a mosque for the sole purpose of worshipping and coming closer to Allah, following the example of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

The ritual is usually performed in the final 10 days of the lunar month of Ramadan, which is expected this year to end on March 29.

Chief of Presidency of Religious Affairs in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Abdulrahman Al Sudais, underlined the importance of providing a favourable environment for the Itikaf performers to devote themselves to the spiritual retreat rite and devout worshipping without distractions.

He directed agencies affiliated to the presidency to intensify their awareness-raising and guidance efforts, and hold than 50 lessons on the rules of Itikaf.

As part of these efforts, Quranic sessions will be organized to help the Itikaf performers correct their recitation of the verses of Islam's holy book.

The presidency has provided the designated Itikaf sites in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque with a range of integrated services to ensure the comfort of the worshippers and help them fulfil the objectives of Itikaf in an atmosphere of tranquility and humility.

This year, Itikaf is due to begin tonight, i.e. on the eve of the 21st Ramadan, a month that usually sees an upsurge of worshippers in the Two Holy Mosques in its last 10 days.