Registration for Itikaf at the Prophet's Mosque during Ramadan 1445: Link and conditions

Official announcement regarding the start of registration for the retreat

The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced the opening of registration for those wishing to perform the Sunnah of Itikaf (seclusion for worship) at the Prophet's Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan 1445 AH. According to the official announcement, the online registration process began today, Friday, at 11:00 AM, for both men and women, in a step aimed at organizing this great ritual and providing a suitable spiritual environment for those observing Itikaf.

The religious and historical context of i'tikaf

Itikaf is a confirmed Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who regularly observed it, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Itikaf involves staying in the mosque with the intention of devoting oneself to worship, including prayer, reciting the Quran, remembrance of God, supplication, and detachment from worldly affairs. Itikaf in the Prophet's Mosque in Medina holds special significance for Muslims worldwide, as it is the second holiest mosque in Islam and a place closely associated with the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This imbues the spiritual experience with profound depth and leaves a lasting impact on those who observe it, who come from all corners of the earth.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

This announcement has garnered widespread attention at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, it offers citizens and residents of the Kingdom a valuable opportunity to observe this Sunnah in one of the holiest places on earth. Regionally and internationally, it presents an opportunity for Muslims performing Umrah during Ramadan to complete their spiritual journey by observing Itikaf (seclusion for worship) in the Prophet's Mosque. The electronic registration process reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts to leverage technology to serve visitors to the Two Holy Mosques, ensure efficient crowd management, and distribute available spaces fairly and transparently according to capacity limits, thus guaranteeing the safety and comfort of those observing Itikaf and enhancing the quality of services provided to them.

Details of the retreat period and registration process

The authority clarified that the i'tikaf period will begin on the night of the 20th of Ramadan and continue until the end of the holy month, within specific regulatory guidelines. Registration is entirely through the designated online portal, where those interested can follow these steps:

• Access the official electronic link for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Services.
• Log in using an existing account, create a new account, or log in directly via the unified national access platform “Nafath” for citizens and residents.
• Choose the I'tikaf service in the Prophet's Mosque from the list of available services.
• Agreement to the terms and conditions governing the retreat.
• Fill in all the required information accurately and submit the application.

The authority confirmed that all applications will be reviewed and vetted, and successful applicants will be notified via SMS confirming their nomination, based on available spaces and registration priority. These procedures aim to facilitate the performance of religious observances in a structured and safe environment.