• Worshippers will also be able to pay their respects to the Prophet and his two companions at the Sacred Chamber
• Men can visit the Rawdah after the first four prayers of the day, whilst women can visit between sunrise and midday

Arab News

LONDON: Saudi Arabia reopened the Rawdah in the Prophet’s Mosque on Sunday to the public following a closure to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Rawdah is the area located between the Prophet’s Sacred Chamber and his pulpit, and is considered to be a part of paradise on earth. It has great religious significance for Muslims from all around the world and pilgrims often visit it before or after performing Hajj.

The reopening of the Rawdah comes as the month of Rabi Al-Awwal, the month during which the Prophet was born, started on Sunday.

Worshippers will also be able to pay their respects to the Prophet and his two companions Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq and Omar ibn Al-Khattab at the Sacred Chamber.

Men are able to visit the Rawdah after the first four prayers of the day, Al-Ekhbariya TV reported, whilst women can visit between sunrise and midday.

With restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in place, 900 women and 1,650 men will be able to pray in the Rawdah per day.

The reopening of the Rawdah coincides with the Grand Mosque in Makkah opening for prayers for the first time in seven months. The number of pilgrims allowed to perform Umrah has also increased to 15,000 per day as curbs are slowly being eased.