For the first time after Covid pandemic’s hit, Aitekaf to resume at Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia

What happened: On March 23, the Saudi government has decided to resume Aitekaf at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramazan. It is pertinent to mention that Aitekaaf had been stopped at the Holy Mosques due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but currently, Saudi Gazzette’s report claims that it will be resumed this year. The head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, is quoted as,  “Specific conditions and a set of criteria will be issued before Aitekaaf is held.”  Details: Whereas, the Saudi government has also eased the Covid-19 restrictions, including social distancing in public spaces and quarantine, along with masks to be required in closed spaces. At the same time, Express Tribune quoted Al-Sudais as,  “The Covid-19 pandemic has hugely disrupted pilgrimage to the holy land.”  More:   Subsequently, the General Presidency for the Affairs of Two Holy Mosques has also launched an online portal providing guidelines and registration facilities to worshippers performing Aitekaaf. DailyPakistan quoted the development as,  “Hosting the pilgrimages is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam’s holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy.”