Ramadan in the Era of Covid-19 in Haramain

Ramadan in the Era of Coronavirus in the Haramain

1441 Hijra corresponding to April 2020

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Saudi Arabia has decided to suspend congregational prayers across all mosques in the Kingdom except for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The decision announced encourages Muslims to pray at home to fight the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia issued an order on Sunday the 22 March 2020 imposing curfew across Saudi Arabia from Monday evening to control the spread of the Covid-19 disease. A Royal Court statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) order requires all people to stay in their homes during the curfew hours for their own safety, according to the Jeddah-based English daily Arab News.

Saudi Arabia Suspends Congregational

Prayers across all mosques mid-March

Saudi Arabia has decided to suspend congregational prayers across all mosques in the kingdom, except for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The decision announced on Tuesday, the 17^th March 2020 encourages Muslims to pray at home rather than mosque to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease, reported Arab News.

A statement on SPA said it is allowed religiously to suspend all group prayers in mosques, including the weekly Friday prayers. The Two Holy Mosques Makkah and Madinah are exempted from the decision, it said. “Mosque doors will be closed temporarily but they will be allowed to recite the call to prayer,” the statement said.

The statement also said that a special congregational prayer on Friday at midday can now be performed by Muslims at home, Arab News reported on 17^th March 2020.

Saudi Arabia to suspend Taraweeh

Prayers in Ramadan at Mosques

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in Saudi Arabia announced that Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan will only be performed at home as the suspension of prayers at mosques to continue until the end of the coronavirus disease.

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, the highest religious authority in the Kingdom, has said prayers during Ramadan and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr Festival should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues, according to a Saudi newspaper. “Ramadan’s Taraweeh (evening) prayer can be performed at mosques due to the preventive measures taken to fight the spread of coronavirus,” Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said in response to a question adding that the same applies for Eid prayers, Jeddah-based Arabic daily Okaz newspaper reported on Friday, 17 April 2020.

Plan for Ramadan 1441 in the Haramain

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques (Masjid al-Haram in Makkah al-Mukarramah and the Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah al-Munawwarah), Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Sudais has made the following Plans for Ramadan 1441 in the Haramain:

The following Plans have been made for #Ramadan1441 in the Haramain:

1- Taraweeh will be held behind closed doors and number of Rakats have been reduced to 10 Rakahs

2- Iftar services cancelled in both Harams, instead Iftar Baskets will be distributed around the cities of Makkah and Madinah

3- Umrah will remain suspended until further notice

4- Itikaf suspended

Latest updates

Following latest updates are made on 28 Sha’ban – 21 April by the Haramain info:

1. Taraweeh will be held without public attendance, mainly with staff.

2. Taraweeh has been reduced to 10 raka’ah 6+4+witr.

3. 1^st Imaam will lead 3 tasleemat and the 2^nd Imaam will lead 2 tasleemat & Shafa + witr. The Qunoot will be shortened.

4. Iftar services cancelled in both Harams, instead, baskets will be distributed around the cities of Makkah & Madinah.

5. Itikaf has been cancelled in both Harams.

6. Umrah will remain suspended until further notice.

7. The completion of the Qur’an will be recited between the Taraweeh and Qiyaam (Tahajjud). Khatam will be on 29^th night in Qiyaam (Tahajjud).

8. Continued health checks will still be administered for all workers and attendees for the funeral prayers upon their entry into the Haram.