HARAM PRESIDENCY CONTINUES ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR ITIKAF

Makkah, 19 Ramadan 1435/17 July 2014 (MINA) – The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques launched online registration facility for prospective worshipers intending to perform Itikaf (seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of worshipping) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Yousef Al-Wabil, administrative consultant at the presidency, said that all the arrangements have been made for those who want to perform Itikaf at the holy mosque, IINA News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Those who want to avail the facility should register online their name by visiting the link http://e-service.gph.gov.sa/ittikafDefault.aspx.

The basement of the King Fahd expansion area of the Grand Mosque is earmarked for Itikaf. The area is supplied with shelves to keep the belongings of the worshipers and each worshiper will be allotted a separate safe with key.

The worshipers are advised to bring in only a prayer rug, light bed sheet, pillow and two pieces of ihram dress. Al-Wabil said the Itikaf timing will be from Ramadan 20 till the end of the Isha prayer on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr.

The prospective worshipers for Itikaf are advised to enter the mosque through gates 75, 76, 77, 81, 82 and 83. The worshipers will get their respective serial number upon their registration, and they have to follow minutely rules of Itikaf from the website.

He urged the worshipers to keep the Holy Mosque clean, honor its sanctity and not to do anything that disturbs other worshipers. He also called for not hanging dresses on the corridors or the pillars of the mosque.

Itikaf is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of spiritual retreat in a mosque especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan and it is a Sunnah (Tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged those who perform Itikaf to spend their time reciting the Qur’an, performing prayers and seeking blessings from the Almighty Allah.(T/P02/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)