The Saudi Arabian government has urged Umrah pilgrims not to sleep inside the mosque, the holiest site for Muslims in Mecca. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said that Umrah pilgrims and those visiting the mosque should avoid sleeping while reclining in the holy mosque. The ministry also mentioned that this practice violates the norms at the holy place.
And this has been reported on Twitter as follows. In it the ministry posted, “Guests of Allah, we hope you avoid reclining or lying down, especially in corridors, places of prayer, emergency lanes or areas designated for the physically challenged.”
Millions of Muslims from all over the world come to Mecca every year to perform Umrah and prayers. Therefore, the ministry had earlier advised worshipers to avoid commotion and crowding in the mosque due to overcrowding.
Also, the Ministry has stressed the need to give priority to women and the elderly here and to cooperate with the police to maintain security and order.
About 1.8 million Muslims visited last year for Umrah for the first time in three years after pandemic-related restrictions were lifted. In this case, 10 million pilgrims are expected to come to Saudi Arabia this year.
A few months ago, Saudi Arabia introduced several facilities for foreign Muslims to come to the country to perform Umrah. This includes important concessions such as extending the Umrah visa from thirty days to 90 days. Apart from that visa holders are allowed to enter the country by all land, air and sea routes and exit from any airport.
It is also noted that by applying online in advance, Muslims holding various types of entry visas such as personal, visit and tourist visas are allowed to perform Umrah and visit Al Rawda Al Sharifa, the tomb of the Prophet (PBUH) located in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
