50,000 likely to spend time in seclusion in Prophet's MosqueOkaz/Saudi Gazette MADINA — The Prophet's Mosque Affairs Agency has a link on its website for anyone who wants to register to perform Itikaf, said Abdul Wahid Al-Hatab, Director of Public Relations and Media at the agency. Itikaf is to seclude oneself in the mosque to worship Allah. It is prescribed in Islam as mustahab (recommended). Al-Hatab said 30,000 worshippers are expected to perform Itikaf in the mosque during the first part of Ramadan, with the figure jumping to 50,000 in the last 10 days of the holy month. He said those performing Itikaf must comply with certain conditions, including not bringing extra covers or clothes into the Prophet's Mosque. Whatever they bring should be placed in the cupboard provided in the Itikaf area. Also, they are not allowed to stay in the corridors and at the partitions which separate men and women worshippers. They are not allowed to move or change the positions of the Holy Qur'an stands, chairs, water coolers and carpets. They should also preserve the cleanliness of the areas where they stay and not disturb fellow worshippers by talking on their cell phones. They should also remove their personal effects immediately after the announcement of the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, specifically after Isha prayers because the entire mosque will be cleaned. __
