Saudi Arabia reopens Rawdah for worshippers at Prophet’s Mosque

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Saudi Arabia reopened the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque on Sunday to the public following a closure to curb the spread of COVID-19. (SPA)
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Updated 19 October 2020
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Saudi Arabia reopens Rawdah for worshippers at Prophet’s Mosque

  • Worshippers will also be able to pay their respects to the Prophet and his two companions at the Sacred Chamber
  • Men can visit the Rawdah after the first four prayers of whilst women can visit between sunrise and midday

JEDDAH: At dawn on Sunday, worshippers returned to visit and pray at the Holy Rawdah at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah for the first time in almost seven months. The holy place, the full name of which is Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa (The Exalted Garden), was closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Kingdom in March. Although the Prophet’s Mosque opened its doors to receive prayers in June, a ban on access to the Rawdah remained in place.
The Holy Rawdah lies between the Sacred Chamber (known as the Prophet’s house), and the Prophet’s Minbar (or pulpit). This southeastern section of the Prophet’s Mosque is where his house once stood, where he lived with his wife Aisha bint Abu Bakr and is buried. It is of extremely great religious value to Muslims. “Between my house and my pulpit lies a garden from the gardens of Paradise,” says a Hadith from Bukhari.
Worshippers were emotionally moved at being able to pray in the Holy Rawdah and to pay tribute to the Prophet (PBUH) and to his two companions, Abu Bakr Siddiq and Omar ibn Al-Khattab at their graves.
“I was blessed to be among the first group of female visitors to Rawdah on the first morning of Rabi Al-Awwal month,” Hanan Al-Jihani, 39, told Arab News. “It is an extraordinary experience on an exceptional day.”
Al-Jihani was able to book her slot through the Eatmarna app launched earlier last month. “They first made sure that my visit barcode was right and checked my body temperature, then we waited for a few minutes before we were allowed to enter Rawdah,” she added.
Al-Jihani recalled the warm welcome of female employees and the smell of Bakhour (incense) in the air across the mosque. “We ask God for help and success for the government and all security staff, employees, workers and volunteers serving the Holy Prophet’s Mosque.”


Eman Mahmoud, from Jeddah, said, “It is definitely a blessed day at the beginning of a blessed month when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was born. I couldn’t have been happier when I heard that we could finally visit the sacred chamber and greet our prophet, praise be to god,” she said.
The 50-year-old, who is a frequent visitor to Madinah and the Prophet’s Mosque, said that the past months have been difficult for everyone, “I cannot express how much I miss the old days at the Prophet’s Mosque. I hope the crisis ends soon and all Muslims can enjoy their heart-purifying spiritual experience at the mosque.”
The prophet was born on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi Al-Awwal, which started on Sunday. Most Muslims around the world consider this month a blessed one and celebrate the Prophet’s birthday with various religious traditions.
Visits are based according to the restricted capacity of the Rawdah. Worshippers can apply for a permit through the Eatmarna app, where they are offered the option to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque, pray in Rawdah, or greet the Prophet.
Quba Mosque was also opened on Sunday at dawn prayers. “The mosque will be open from Fajr to Isha prayers while maintaining all precautionary measures,” said Wajab Al-Otaibi, general director of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs branch in Madinah.
“Last year, King Salman directed the opening of Quba Mosque 24 hours a day, but during the pandemic, the mosques were closed. Now, as we reopen the mosques, Quba will only receive visitors within the approved time, which is the five prayers and the times in between,” he said.
Worshipers should bring their own praying mats with them, Al-Otaibi added.
Quba Mosque, which lies to the south of Madinah, is the second most prestigious mosque in the city after the Prophet’s Mosque, but is the most important for having been built in the first year of the Islamic calendar.
The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Health and a number of security agencies, have made all preparations to serve the visitors and worshippers according to COVID-19 preventive measures.
Machinery haS been installed to sanitize the halls, floors, carpets, and Mosque gates with environmentally friendly materials.
The General Syndicate of Cars is providing buses to transport visitors and worshippers between parking lots allocated to them and the Grand Mosque.
Furthermore, 531 Umrah companies are getting ready to receive visitors from abroad in the third step in the phased restoration of Umrah services on Nov. 1.
Hani Al-Omairi, a member of the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah and of the Hotels Committee in Makkah, said that Umrah companies had organized specialized workshops to train their employees on how to act in crisis situations, crowd management, receiving visitors, at the airport and in hotels, supervising their entrance into the Grand Mosque, and taking appointments via the Eatmarna app.


Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes on targets in Qatar

Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes on targets in Qatar

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned strikes launched by Iran on targets in Qatar, a foreign ministry statement said.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the aggression launched by Iran against the sisterly State of Qatar, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness,” the statement said. 

“It is unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” it added.


Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

Updated 23 June 2025
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Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

  • Smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership
  • Services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations

RIYADH: Consul General of Iran in Jeddah Hassan Zarnegar praised the organization and facilities provided to Iranian pilgrims during their departure via Arar airport and the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region.

He said the smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership, and demonstrate attention to pilgrims from all countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Zarnegar added: “The streamlined procedures — from disembarkation and swift passport processing to organized bus transfers — reflect efficient pilgrim management.”

He said that the services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations.

He added that Saudi-Iranian relations are rooted in religious and neighborly ties, and the care shown to Iranian pilgrims reflects this spirit of brotherhood.

On behalf of himself and the Iranian ambassador, Zarnegar expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their care and support, provided as part of an integrated system.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Border Guards Maj. Gen. Shaya Al-Wadaani inspected the work of personnel at the Jadidat Arar border crossing and monitored services supporting pilgrims’ departure after Hajj.

Al-Wadaani reviewed the procedures facilitating Iranian pilgrims’ exit, following directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure proper services and support.

He confirmed that the Border Guard has mobilized all resources, in coordination with relevant authorities, to deliver the best services and ensure a smooth departure process.


Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

Updated 23 June 2025
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Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

  • Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions
  • Plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters

RIYADH: Despite the harsh desert climate in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders province, native plants have found a way not only to survive but to thrive.

Among the local flora is the Hazaa plant, known scientifically as Ducrosia anethifolia.

The plant is native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is part of the Apiaceae family of plants, which includes crops and medicinal plants, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions.

The plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters.

In addition, its unique appearance comes from its long, oval-shaped gray-green leaves that have sharp points, making the plant easily recognizable among other plants in the wild.

Along with its pleasant smell, the plant produces small, light yellow, umbrella-like flowers during the flowering season, with 12 to 18 flowers on each stem.

The Northern Borders region is also home to other plant species, including Reseda alba, Salsola tetrandra shrubs and lavender.


Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

Updated 23 June 2025
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Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

  • Total is now 34,171, reflecting the cultural richness, diversity of all regions
  • Sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission has registered 5,969 new architectural heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage, bringing the total to 34,171.

These sites reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom’s regions, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The newly registered sites are: 3,893 in Asir, 761 in Qassim, 499 in Baha, 483 in Makkah, 258 in Riyadh, 60 in Hail, eight in Jazan, four in Jouf, and three in the Eastern Province.

The commission said its registration efforts are ongoing and cover all regions. The process is based on heritage regulations and follows a board decision authorizing the commission’s CEO to register sites.

The initiative aims to protect heritage sites from encroachment or neglect and ensure their preservation for future generations, the SPA reported.

Registering new sites is part of a broader effort to identify, document and manage cultural sites. The sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation. A comprehensive database is being built, including documentation and photographic archives.

The commission encouraged citizens and enthusiasts to report urban heritage sites through its reporting platform, X account, or regional branches. It also praised public awareness and participation in preserving national heritage.

Last week, the commission also announced the addition of 744 new archeological sites to the National Antiquities Register, raising the total to 10,061.

The new archeological sites are distributed as follows: Riyadh (253), Madinah (167), Najran (86), Tabuk (72), Asir (64), Qassim (30), Jazan (23), Eastern Province (13), Hail (13), Makkah (11), Jouf (10). and Northern Borders (2).


Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

Updated 23 June 2025
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Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

  • Updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities
  • Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has updated entry and picnic regulations for the Al-Suman and Al-Dahna areas within the location. 

The updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities.

Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. 

Permit requests must be submitted at least two days in advance and include visitor details, companion information, vehicle type, and a commitment to follow environmental rules. 

Registered residents of administrative centers within the reserve are exempt from this requirement, the SPA added. 

The authority stressed the importance of complying with regulations, including bans on hunting, wood gathering, open fires, driving over vegetation, littering, noise, visual pollution, and any other harmful activities. 

These measures aim to limit environmental damage, especially in ecologically rich areas showing notable recovery in recent years. 

The update aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for royal reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to protect recent environmental gains and promote wildlife and plant growth in thriving basins and meadows.