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.


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 07 June 2025
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Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

Updated 07 June 2025
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Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

  • Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app — developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, played a “key role” on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, helping to guide more than 35,000 Hajj pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The app “highlights the ministry’s commitment to using technology for smooth pilgrim movement and effective crowd management at the holy sites, reflecting integrated technical and operational services during Hajj,” the SPA wrote.

Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals. With direct links to 25 government agencies and 10 private sector entities, Nusuk — a part of the ministry’s digital-transformation drive in line with Vision 2030 — “has become a comprehensive platform for the pilgrim journey,” the SPA reported.

For this year’s Hajj, the ministry added more than 30 new services to the app, including Nusuk AI — a digital assistant that provides guidance and responds to pilgrims’ inquiries via voice and text in multiple languages.

 


Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

  • Prince Mohammed made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday reaffirmed “the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences” of Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza.

He made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, he said.

“We reaffirm the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.”

The crown prince was speaking during a meeting with Eid Al-Adha well-wishers at the Royal Court in Mina Palace.

“God Almighty has honored this country with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims, Umrah performers and other guests,” he said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia places this sacred duty at the forefront of its priorities, harnessing all its capabilities to serve the guests of God and ensuring that they are able to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The crown prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, recognizing both the great honor and the immense trust it entails.

“We ask God Almighty to perpetuate security and stability in our country, in all Muslim countries and across the world,” he said.

“May He accept the Hajj of the pilgrims to the House of God and return them safely to their families.”


MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

Updated 07 June 2025
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MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

  • They discussed a variety of topics of common interest

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-hair Shukri to discuss “a variety of topics of common interest,” the MWL wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh recently met with the Malaysian delegation of Islamic leaders participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

  • Two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Saturday with President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations and expand cooperation between their countries across various fields, SPA added.

The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to bolster Saudi-Maldivian ties and explore new avenues for partnership.

A number of senior Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From the Maldivian side, the delegation included several ministers including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel.

The high-level talks come as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen engagement with nations across South Asia, in line with its broader diplomatic and economic outreach initiatives.

Also on Saturday, Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. (SPA)

They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to discussing overall relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, SPA reported.