More Space for Women at Prophet’s Mosque
Fatima Sidiya, Arab News
JEDDAH, 17 November 2007 — Madinah officials are gearing up for the forthcoming Haj, where pilgrims visit the Prophet’s Mosque on their way to the pilgrimage.
Abdul Wahid Hattab, spokesman at the Presidency of the Prophet’s Mosque Affairs, said that new arrangements are being drawn up to accommodate women in Al-Rawda area after night prayers.
Al-Rawda is a very special area in the heart of the Prophet’s Mosque, which extends from the tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to his pulpit.
“During peak time women are getting a wider area in Al-Rawda,” Hattab said. “We have also added a night period to make it easy for women to go in at night. The night period starts after Isha prayer until 12 a.m. This is beside the morning period and the noon period.” The morning period is from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. while the noon period is from 1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This year there would be 440 men and 450 women supervisors, said Hattab. The cleaning and maintenance workers will number 2,880 this year.
Regarding accommodations for pilgrims with special needs, there are elevators and handicapped parking, as well as sign language interpreters for the prayers. There are also 2,000 wheelchairs available for use at Gate 7.
Kadija, who has worked as a mosque staff member, recommends that the devout arrive well before prayer and take their time to leave after prayer in order to reduce pedestrian congestion and crowding. She also said pilgrims should avoid bringing superfluous baggage.
“They should not bring mobiles, cameras or food to the mosque,” she said. “It would be better to keep their stuff in lock boxes. By doing this they help avoid clustering at entrances where bag checks take place.”
Note:These time periods are important to remember for the sisters going on hajj so they know when they can go and pray in Al-Rawda (which is a garden from paradise in the masjid).
---------------------------------------------
Prophet’s Mosque Now Open 24-7
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News JEDDAH, 9 October 2007 — The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, the second holiest mosque for Muslims, will be kept open 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year on the instructions of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, according to Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed.
“This gracious decision reflects the king’s care and keenness toward pilgrims and worshippers who visit the Prophet’s Mosque,” the governor said. “It will also help the faithful to spend long hours inside the mosque in worship and meditation.”
Until now the mosque closed after the last prayer (isha) and reopened for the pre-dawn prayer (fajr).
Prince Abdul Aziz said all departments of the mosque have been readied to carry out the king’s instruction. Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said from now on the Madinah Mosque’s doors would be closed only for routine maintenance services. “This is good news for all Muslims, especially for pilgrims who come from far off places in the Kingdom and other parts of the world,” said Mohammed Badahad, assistant secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.
He said the move would help reduce overcrowding inside the mosque, as the faithful would receive extra hours for worship and prayers. The Grand Mosque in Makkah is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like his predecessors, King Abdullah has shown special interest in the care and development of the two holy mosques. Recently, he allocated SR10 billion for the comprehensive development of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Note: Something FYI for those going to hajj this year. Both masajid are open 24-7 since last year.