Registration opens for Iftar permits in Medina ahead of Ramadan

Cairo: Authorities in the Saudi city of Medina, home to Islam’s second holiest mosque, have opened registration for applying to obtain permits for hosting fast-ending (Iftar) meals in key mosques during the upcoming Muslim sacred month of Ramadan.

The Medina Regional Development Authority set February 24 as the deadline for the online presentation of the applications.

The procedure aims to upgrade the quality of services provided for the Medina residents and visitors during the lunar fasting month of Ramadan, expected this year to begin on March 1.

Muslims abstain from eating and drinking every day from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.

Earlier this month, the General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia unveiled requirements for providing the Iftar banquets in the Prophet’s Mosque.

According to these requirements, the service providers will be able to add two items to the basic menu of the fast-breaking food. The basic items for the sunset meal include dates, bread, yogurt, water and wrapped tissues.

The additional food items should consist of nuts, cupcakes, a pie, maamoul (a filled cookie), cream, or stuffed dates.

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

These companies are required to communicate with a coordinator in the Prophet’s Mosque on delivering the Iftar meals to transport them to the designated location.

Additionally, the eligible companies should be based in Medina and registered as catering contractors for the annual Islamic Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.

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