Arab News

RIYADH: Ramadan will start on Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced on Monday.

This will be the second year when Ramadan will be observed under coronavirus pandemic precautions.

Only vaccinated or immune worshippers will be allowed to enter the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and that pilgrims who perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah without a permit during Ramadan will face a hefty fine in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.

Umrah permits and visit permits for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque will increase operational capacity during the month of Ramadan.

The permits will be granted to those who have received two vaccination jabs, those who have received their first jab and 14 days have passed, or those who have had the virus and recovered.

With more than 5 million vaccinated, the order means that more people will be able to attend the holy sites than a year ago.

Before the pandemic, Makkah and Madinah filled with visitors each year during Ramadan as pilgrims from across the globe arrived in the Kingdom seeking the blessings of worshipping at the holy mosques.

More than 1.6 billion Muslims around the world will mark the month, during which believers abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.