MAKKAH — The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is regulating Itikaf (an Islamic practice to retreat for a number of days in a mosque in order to focus on supplication away from the distractions of life) in the Grand Mosque in an organized manner this year. Sheikh Yousef Al-Wabil of the Commission of Consultants said Itikaf is mostly done in the Grand Mosque during Ramadan, especially in the last 10 days of the month. “The general presidency has set up closets for visitors to store their belongings while they are doing Itikaf. The closets are located in the mosque's basement and visitors will be given magnetic cards to lock and unlock their designated closets,” said Al-Wabil. He added that the general presidency has also set aside separate areas for men and women to do Itikaf. “It has designated certain gates (75, 76, 77, 81, 82 and 83) where people intending to perform Itikaf can enter the mosque. These gates have signs showing directions to the Itikaf area. Pamphlets describing the right way of doing Itikaf and the supplications one could recite are distributed at the gates,” said Al-Wabil. He also said the general presidency has rules and regulations on what Itikaf doers can bring with them into the mosque. “They are not allowed to bring food inside. They can carry a prayer mat, a light sheet as sleep cover, a pillow and two pieces of Ihram (white cloth to wear when performing Umrah),” said Al-Wabil. He said the general presidency urges all worshippers to respect the sanctity of the Grand Mosque. “Do not store personal belongings where copies of the Qur'an are shelved. The Qur'an shelves are not to be used for safekeeping footwear and other personal things. Hanging clothes or bags on the stairs and columns is also banned,” said Al-Wabil. He said Itikaf is a time of complete serenity and remembrance of Allah and people should not bring with them anything that would distract them and annoy other worshippers. “People performing Itikaf should pray Taraweeh and Tahajjud (the voluntary night prayers) with the imam. They should not skip the prayer with the imam to perform them later on their own. Men and women are not allowed to mingle during Itikaf and they should stay in areas specified for each,” said Al-Wabil. He also said the cleaning workers would immediately dispose of any belongings found outside the designated locations absolutely without holding any responsibility. “Itikaf performers should be ready to leave the mosque right after Isha on the night of Eid Al-Fitr," Al-Wabil said. He said worshippers could contact the general presidency for any further information via fax: 5733322, tel: 5746005 or visit its website: www.gph.gov.sa.
