Saudi King approves tarawih prayers without public attendance at holiest mosques
Saudi Arabia's King Salman says only staff can perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.
Islam’s two holiest mosques can hold evening prayers without public attendance during Ramadan, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said Wednesday.
Shortened tarawih prayers performed by the staff will be allowed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques' Affairs said in a statement.
However, itikaf — the practice of praying and meditating in isolation during the last 10 days of Ramadan — is banned at both mosques.
The highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia, Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, has previously said the evening tarawih and Eid al-Fitr prayers should not be held in mosques or large groups this year.
