From Makkha Mokarama: Due to the global pandemic corona situation, Tarawee prayers will be recited by ten ‘R’akats’this year at Masjidul Haram (Kaaba mosque) and at Masjidul Nababi in Medinah. In addition, several new decisions have been taken.
On Monday (April 20), Shaikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais, head of the Haramain presidency, after Esha prayer announced the decision on Taraweeh and other issues during the upcoming Ramadan at a press conference. At the press conference, the concerned officials were connected through video conferencing from their respective homes.
Sheikh Sudais, president of the Haramaine directorate, told the news conference that since the current world is affected by the invisible claws of the corona, some new decisions related to Ramadan have been taken on behalf of the Makkha –Medinah affairs directorate considering the overall aspect. These decisions are applicable for Masjidul Haram of Makkha and for the Masjidul Nababai in Medinah. In other mosques of the country, the old decisions made by the government will continue. These are:-
One. With the participation of a limited number of worshipers, there will be five daily prayers in Ramadan, Taraweeh and the last ten days of Tahajjud (Qiyamul Lail) congregation will continue.
Two. Entry of worshippers other than Imam-Moazzin, concerned officers-employees and authorized persons is prohibited.
Three. All iftars are arranged and serving those will remain withheld. Instead, instructions have been given to distribute packaged iftar throughout Makkha and Medinah.
Four. There will be no arrangement of Itkaaf.
Five. In the place of twenty rak'ats, there will be ten rak'ats in five salams.
Six. Every day one of the two Imams will lead the first six rak'ats of Taraweeh and the remaining four rak'ats including Bet’r will be led by the other Imam.
Seven. Every day in Taraweeh a specific part of the holy Qur'an will be recited from the beginning.
Eight. During the last ten days, in the recitation of the Tahajudde Taraweeh will continue and the holy Qur'an will be concluded on the 29th day of Ramadan.
Nine. Kunut's Doa will be summarized but in a meaningful way in the Bet’r prayers.
Ten. The suspension of Umrah will remain in force until further order.
It is to be noted that after the detection of coronavirus in Saudi Arabia, the visa of the foreigners for Umrah was stopped February on 26. All public gatherings were banned and educational institutions were declared closed as the number of victims increased. From last March 17, all mosques in the country announced the suspension of Jumu'ah and Jamaat.
According to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health spokesman Abdul Ali, the number of people infected by corona in the country is 10,484; the number of deaths is 103.