Worshippers Urged to Avoid Distractions at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque
The Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques advised female visitors to refrain from using mobile phones for photography or other activities during their time at these sacred sites, Saudi media outlets reported on Sunday.
Instead, they urged worshippers to devote their presence to acts of faith, such as performing obligatory and voluntary prayers, circumambulating the Kaaba, reciting the Quran, making supplications, and attending religious lessons.
In a series of messages, the agency pointed to the importance of modesty, stating, “Being keen on donning the hijab, chastity, and modesty in the Two Holy Mosques is a sign of your reverence for them.”
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The notifications also cautioned women to avoid physical contact with men in crowded areas, including corridors, the circumambulation space around the Holy Kaaba, the Sa’i area between Safa and Marwah, and at mosque entrances.
The advisory comes as the number of Umrah pilgrims surged last week during Saudi Arabia's mid-semester school holiday, which concluded on Saturday.
Many residents, including expatriates, used the break to travel to Mecca for Umrah, a voluntary pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year.
Key rituals of Umrah include the Tawaf, where worshippers circle the Holy Kaaba seven times, and the Sa’i, which involves walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah. These acts are performed within the Grand Mosque.
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Following Umrah, many pilgrims traditionally travel to Medina to pray at the Prophet's Mosque, which holds significant spiritual importance in Islam.
The current Umrah season commenced in late June, immediately after the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Source: Agencies
