Masjid-e-Nabwi, the Prophet Mosque, remained one of the most visited sites in Saudi Arabia and now Kingdom has issued new guidelines for those who will be visiting Riyazul Jannah – the most auspicious location inside Islam’s second holiest site.
The General Authority of Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque issued new guidelines for visitors to Al Rawdah Al-Sharif in the Prophet’s Mosque.
Under the new rules, visitors can spend only 10 minutes inside Al Rawdah Al-Sharif and are limited to one visit per year. The authority also introduced a cancellation policy, urging permit holders to cancel their appointments well in advance if they cannot attend, to allow other worshipers the chance to visit.
It also mentioned that failure to cancel will result in a one-year ban from booking another visit.
Visitors must follow specific entry instructions provided through the Nusuk application when obtaining a permit. These include arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment and being within the Haram premises 30 minutes before the allocated time.
Entry to Al Rawdah Al Sharif will be strictly controlled using a barcode that must be scanned at the gate, with entry denied to those without the barcode.
These guidelines aim to ensure a smooth and organized flow of worshipers, enhancing the spiritual experience for each visitor and maintaining order within the Prophet’s Mosque.
Hajj 2024
Saudi authorities also rolled out new regulations for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, and Pilgrims with at least SR60,000 in cash or valuables must complete a customs declaration upon entry and exit, and those bringing commercial goods worth over SR3,000 or items subject to excise tax must also declare these.
Furthermore, entry to Makkah will be restricted for holders of all types of visit visas, which do not authorize performing Hajj. Visitors in Saudi Arabia on visit visas are advised to avoid Makkah during this period to prevent penalties.