Saudi approves Taraweeh prayer in two Holy Mosques

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved a shortened version of the Taraweeh prayer to be held in the Two Holy Mosques with continued restrictions on the attendance of worshippers, Saudi Press Agency reported.

King Salman approved Taraweeh, the special prayers conducted during Ramadan, reducing them to 10 Rakat instead of 20, as well as the completion of the Holy Quran in Tahajjud (night) prayer.

The report quoted a statement of the General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, who noted that the directive of reducing the prayers was a precautionary measure against the Covid-19.

The Taraweeh prayer will be conducted by the Sheikhs and staff of the two Mosques.

Ramadan is expected to begin on Friday, April 24.

The kingdom also temporarily suspended Umrah for citizens and residents in the kingdom due to the coronavirus outbreak in early March.

Read: Saudi temporarily suspends Umrah for citizens, residents over coronavirus outbreak

On April 22, Saudi Arabia revised curfew timings during Ramadan.

Those residing in regions and cities in which 24-hour curfew is in effect will not implemented will be allowed to leave their homes from 9am to 5pm. Meanwhile, in cities and governorates in which 24-hour curfew is implemented, residents will be permitted to step out between 9am and 5pm only for essential needs such as medical care and grocery shopping within their neighbourhood.

Saudi imposed a 24-hour curfew on the cities of Makkah and Madinah starting April 2, and confirmed that it would remain in effect until further notice.

The curfew includes a ban on the entry and exit of all residents from the two cities.

Read: Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour lockdown until further notice in Makkah, Madinah

On Wednesday, April 22, Saudi Arabia reported 1,141 new Covid-19 cases, spiking its total tally of infections since the outbreak to 12,772.