Worshipers return to the holy cities after easing restrictions
After more than a year and a half, Muslims around the world were delighted to see Friday prayers at the Two Holy Mosques return to full capacity.
As Islam's two holiest sites exist, the distressing images of mosques devoid of worshipers due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 affected Muslims everywhere, but especially the citizens of Makkah and Madinah.
Abdullah Mahdi, a private sector worker and long-time resident of the Holy City said,
“It is a blessing to walk the corridors of the mosque while surrounded by people again.” "Although it's still compelling, it doesn't really matter, the place is bustling with action and devotees once again.
“It is really a sight to behold and seeing the courtyard of the Grand Mosque around the Kaaba filled with people on the first Friday after the restrictions were eased is a sign that he will be fine, God willing.”
And the Ministry of Interior also announced, last Saturday, the easing of restrictions across the Kingdom, including those affecting the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, which returned to work at full capacity.
The Deputy Secretary-General for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque, Dr. Saad bin Muhammad Al-Muhaimid told "Arab News" that the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has used all its human and mechanical resources to implement the return plan to its full capacity. eligibility.
And they did this through an integrated plan of capabilities and services that were harnessed to preserve the safety of visitors to the Grand Mosque and facilitate the performance of their rituals in a spiritual, safe and reassuring atmosphere.”
And based on the directives of His Excellency the President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais,
We have accelerated the pace of work and raised the level of readiness in an effort to provide the Grand Mosque. Visitors with the best services and amenities.
“We have also doubled our efforts since we began implementing the plan to return to our full capacity while achieving the highest quality standards.”
The Deputy Secretary-General said that workers in the Two Holy Mosques were asked to abide by and implement the directives issued by the concerned authorities to combat the Corona virus epidemic to ensure the safety of all.
It is worth noting that the Ministry and the authorities stressed the importance of visitors’ commitment to the directives contained in the Ministry of Interior’s statement to wear face masks at all times inside the Grand Mosque and to book Umrah and prayer times through the official applications (Itmarna and Tawakkalna).