From October 18, as part of the gradual resumption of the Umrah pilgrimage, as many as 250,000 domestic pilgrims will be allowed to perform the ritual. Also from October 18, worshipers will be permitted to visit Rawdhah Sharif and the old mosque area at the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) Mosque in Madinah. According to the Saudi Gazette, the extensions and courtyards of the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) Mosque had already been opened for worshipers for obligatory prayers from May 31 this year.

The Saudi Gazette reports that more than 600,000 worshipers will, during the second phase of the gradual resumption of Umrah service and visit to the Two Holy Mosques, be granted permits to perform prayers at the Grand Mosque, along with over 250,000 Umrah pilgrims.

Registration, through the I’tamarna App to obtain permits to perform Umrah as well as to visit the Grand Mosque and Rawdhah Sharif is a condition.

Pilgrims have been barred from approaching the Holy Kaaba and the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad). Further, a temporary barrier has been installed around the Kaaba, and the tawaf, or  circumambulation, around the Kaaba, is performed outside the barrier. Medical facilities, including isolation facilities, have also been made available should any pilgrim be suspected of carrying the virus.

The first Umrah pilgrims, since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Saudi Arabia, had comprised of Saudi nationals and expats only, on October 4.

Umm Muhammed Umar