10,000 People to perform 'Historic Hajj' this year

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that only local people of different nationalities in limited numbers will attend this year's Hajj and that the numbers will 'likely' not to exceed 10,000.

 

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed that along with the Ministry of Health a comprehensive plan was devised for Hajj this year which will be controlled to avoid the spreading of the novel coronavirus.

 

The Minister of Hajj devised the following plans:

1. Only Residents of Saudi Arabia will attend Hajj this year

2. Number of Hujjaj will not reach tens of thousands

3. People above the age of 65 will not be allowed for Hajj

4. People with chronic diseases will not be allowed

5. People will go through mandatory testing before going to Hajj

6. Strict Social distancing will be applied throughout Hajj

7. Health Status of Pilgrims will be checked daily

8. People will be isolated after completing Hajj Pilgrimage

Solar Eclipse In the Haramain Sharifain

On Sunday, parts of Africa, Middle East and Asia witnessed an Annular Solar Eclipse. The Eclipse coincided with the Summer Solstice (Longest Day of the Year)

The Haramain Sharifain along with rest of Mosques across the Muslim World stood in Salat Al Kusuf (Solar Eclipse Prayer) following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) as per the hadith of Sahih Al Bukhari:

"The Sun and Moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e birth) of someone. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah"

 

Prayer Report:

 

Prayer in Masjid Al Haram

Sheikh Faisal Ghazzawi led the prayer in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah previously led almost 9 years ago:

Prayer in Masjid Al Nabawi

Sheikh Abdullah Buayjan led the prayer in Masjid Al Nabawi, Madinah:

Prophet's Mosque to open doors to public from Sunday

The General Presidency on Friday announced that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had given the approval of the plans put in place so the doors of the Mosque will open to the general public from 31 May 2020 with relevant precautionary measures

The opening of Masjid Al Nabawi will be in stages starting from Sunday, 31 May, the last stage being opened completely to public.

During the First Stage, the Following are the Precautionary Measures and Restrictions for Public Entry in Masjid al Nabawi 

1.Everyone is required to wear masks

2. Children are not allowed

3. Maintain a gap on a Row from each worshiper.

4. Supply of Zamzam water will remain suspended

5. Mosque will be closed at 40% capacity

6. Iftar service remains suspended.

7. Visitation to Rawdah and Riyadh al Jannah remains suspended

Men will be allowed to enter Masjid Al Nabawi through the following gates:

Al-Hijrah Gate No. 4, Quba Gate No. 5, King Saud Gate No 8, Imam Al-Bukhari Gate No. 10, King Fahd Gate No. 21, King Abdulaziz Gate No 34, Makkah Gate No. 37). Salam Gate will remain closed.

Women will be allowed to enter through the following gates: (13, 17, 25, 29) 

Mosques in Kingdom to reopen with Precautions

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the opening of Mosques around the Kingdom among other things as the country plans to normalize life as it was before the Coronavirus Pandemic hit.

Among them were the opening of Mosques around the Kingdom except the city of Makkah from 31 May 2020 (8 Shawwal 1441)

Various Precautionary measures and restrictions were issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs:

1. Opening mosques 15 minutes before the Adhan and closing them 10 minutes after prayer
2. Reducing in the waiting period between the Adhan and Iqamah to 10 minutes.
3. Opening windows and doors from entering time to the end of the prayer.
4. Removing the Qur’an and books temporarily from the Mosques.
5. Attendees to leave a distance of 2 meters between each other.
6. Leave one space between each row.
7. Closure all water coolers and refrigerators.
8. Suspension of the distribution of water or food in the mosque or anything else.
9.Closure of the toilets and places of ablution.

Precautionary measures on Jummah:

1. Opening mosques 20 minutes before Friday prayers and closing them 20 minutes after prayer.

2 . Friday sermon with prayer should not exceed 15 minutes

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is expected to issue Protocols for the Two Holy Mosques Soon

EID AL FITR 2020 Salah in Masjid Al Nabawi, Madinah

EID AL FITR 2020 Salah in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah

Moon not sighthed, Eid Al Fitr on Sunday

The Crescent for the Month of Shawwal 1441 was not sighted on the evening of 22 May 2020, hence 1st Shawwal 1441 and Day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Sunday, 24 May 2020