RIYADH, March 28, 2025 – Twelve services are being provided to 4,000 itikaf observers from 120 nationalities at 48 designated locations within the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.
Itikaf involves staying in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan in seclusion to worship, as these nights are considered the most virtuous and spiritually rewarding.
The services offered include daily meals, water supply, multilingual translation, awareness and guidance screens explaining itikaf requirements, luggage storage lockers, medical and first aid clinics, sleeping essentials, laundry services, mobile device charging stations, and personal care kits. Each observer also receives a wristband for easy access to and from the itikaf areas.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has reminded observers to adhere to several requirements, including dedicating time to worship, avoiding disturbances during prayers, maintaining tranquility within the mosque, wearing clean attire, using pleasant fragrances, and refraining from actions that might disturb others.
They are also urged to keep the mosque clean, store their belongings in designated lockers, stay within their assigned areas, follow health guidelines, and adhere to safety protocols when moving in and out of the mosque.
Bringing unauthorized food, drinks, or luggage, holding study sessions, receiving visitors, or bringing children into the itikaf areas is prohibited, the authority stated.