Saudi Arabia has announced that the sermons preceding the Friday noon prayers at Islam's two holiest mosques will be shortened until the end of summer to alleviate the burden on worshippers amidst the kingdom's extreme heat.
Shortened Sermons Amid Extreme Heat
This decision, directed by royal decree, aims to ensure the health and safety of those attending the prayers at these sacred sites.
The duration of the Friday sermon and prayers at the two Holy Mosques will be limited to 15 minutes, continuing until the end of the summer. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, head of the Religious Affairs Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques, emphasized that this measure reflects the Saudi leadership's commitment to protecting worshippers' health and safety.
Additionally, the directive includes a delay in the first call for prayer (adhan), reducing the interval between the first and second adhan for the weekly congregation prayers to 10 minutes. This adjustment is intended to address the challenges posed by high temperatures and crowded conditions, making it easier for worshippers to perform their rituals comfortably.
Typically, Friday sermons at these mosques would last between 30 and 45 minutes. However, the new policy acknowledges the extreme weather conditions and the well-being of the attendees. Sheikh Ebrahim Al Dosari, a preacher at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, noted that the shortened sermons accommodate the current situation of crowdedness and high temperatures, easing the experience for worshippers.
Recent Hajj and Ongoing Weather Conditions
The announcement follows the recent completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which saw around 1.8 million Muslims, including 1.6 million from abroad, perform the rites in Mecca under scorching heat, with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius. This year's Hajj coincided with extreme weather conditions, highlighting the need for such measures to protect pilgrims and worshippers.
The Saudi National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) has forecasted a continued rise in temperatures across most parts of the kingdom, with temperatures expected to hover between 48 and 50 degrees Celsius. This hot to extremely scorching weather is anticipated to persist in Mecca, Medina, the Eastern Province, and Riyadh throughout the week.
Traditionally, after completing the Hajj rites in and around Mecca, many pilgrims travel to the holy city of Medina to perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque, Islam's second holiest site, which houses Al Rawda Al Sharifa, the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). Given the extreme weather conditions, Saudi authorities have repeatedly advised pilgrims to take necessary precautions to stay hydrated and avoid heat strokes.
For their well-being and safety, worshippers are recommended to drink sufficient fluids, avoid direct exposure to the sun, use umbrellas, and offer prayers in shaded areas. These guidelines are crucial to ensuring the health and comfort of those visiting the holy sites during this period of intense heat.
The decision to shorten Friday sermons and adjust prayer timings at Islam's two holiest mosques reflects a proactive approach by Saudi authorities to safeguard the health and safety of worshippers amidst extreme weather conditions. This measure, along with the advisory for pilgrims, aims to provide a more comfortable and secure environment for all visitors during the summer months.
