As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia embraced the Islamic month of Ramadan, Taraweeh prayers were offered at mosques across the nation on Friday night, marking the start of this sacred time for Muslims. Fasting in Saudi Arabia, as well as in many other parts of the world, is set to begin on March 1, with Muslims abstaining from food and water from sunrise to sunset for the next month.
The Saudi Supreme Court, responsible for announcing the start of Ramadan, confirmed the sighting of the new moon on Friday evening, declaring Saturday as the first fasting day of the month.
Taraweeh, a non-obligatory night prayer that is offered during Ramadan, was conducted in mosques across the Kingdom, including at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah—two of the holiest sites in Islam. These prayers draw large numbers of worshipers from around the world, and the Saudi government has made extensive preparations to accommodate the influx of visitors during this time.
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In anticipation of the increase in worshipers and pilgrims, authorities at both the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah have deployed 11,000 workers to assist with services. These workers are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of services, including transport, cleaning, and providing safety support for visitors.
Saudi Arabia has also seen a significant number of pilgrims for Umrah in recent years, with nearly 17 million worshipers visiting the Kingdom in 2024 for the lesser pilgrimage. Many of these pilgrims choose to observe the fast during Ramadan in Makkah and Madinah, making the two cities important centers of religious activity during the holy month.
Last year, over 2.5 million worshipers attended Makkah’s Grand Mosque on the 29th night of Ramadan to hear the completion of the Qur’an’s recitation, filling every available prayer space, courtyard, and even some streets leading to the mosque. The annual event is a significant part of the Ramadan experience in Saudi Arabia, attracting worshipers from around the world.
In a gesture of goodwill, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a Ramadan message to the nation, wishing Muslims a blessed and peaceful month. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi officials also sent similar messages of peace and blessings to the Muslim community.
As the Kingdom enters the holy month, the preparations and arrangements reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing a comfortable and spiritual environment for millions of worshipers and pilgrims during Ramadan.
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