More than 21 million pilgrims attend Prophet’s Mosque during first two-thirds of Ramadan
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The Arab Post
- . April 14, 2023
- . Update: April 14, 2023 3:59 pm
More than 21 million pilgrims have attended the Prophet’s Mosque during the first two-thirds of the holy month of Ramadan, an increase of 49 per cent over the same period last year.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque and the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, has revealed that the total number of pilgrims from the start of the month of Muharram this year has so far reached over 169 million worshipers.
The General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque made arrangements at the two holy sites during the sacred month of Ramadan. The General Presidency administers the Islamic holy sites of the Masjid al-Haram and the Masjid an-Nabawi.
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The last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan started on Tuesday. Laylat Al-Qadr is believed to have taken place on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. The holy Qur’an was believed to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad in Laylat Al-Qadr, the holiest night of the Islamic calendar.
Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities opened more entry and exit points at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam and the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The General Presidency reportedly provided five other entrances on the ground floor of the holy site to deal with the surge in the number of pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan. Khalaf Al Otaibi, head of the Worshipper Crowd Department, reportedly said, “The entrances and exits have been opened to prevent overcrowding inside the prayer areas.”
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia announced a four-day long holiday for Eid Al-Fitr 2023 for employees at the private and non-profit sectors. The holiday will start from April 20 until April 24.
