JEDDAH — Many Muslims look forward to the last ten days of Ramadan to voluntarily confine themselves inside the walls of a mosque to devote their entire time and attention to worship during these precious days and nights. During I'tikaaf, a believer shuns almost all activities that will keep him/her from reciting the Qur'an, reflecting upon Allah's blessings, supplicating, and praying. In the absence of distractions commonly found in the home such as telephones, televisions, visits by friends and guests, the believer is better able to work on self-improvement, personal growth, and intensify his/her reading and memorizing of the Qur'an. In anticipation of the influx of worshipers in mosques during the last week of Ramadan, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has urged all imams to inform the general public of some of the rules, regulations, and conditions of I'tikaaf. Firstly, those wishing to stay in a mosque for more than 24 hours, must fill out a form provided by the administration of the mosque and supply a copy of their ID or Iqama and a photograph. Simply submitting the form does not guarantee permission for I'tikaaf; approval will only be granted when the mosque's administration studies the personal information provided in the form and speaks to the applicant on the phone number provided. Upon approval, each worshiper will receive a personal registration card that he should keep with him at all times during the duration of his stay in the mosque. “We have posted a list in the mosque and on its doors of conditions for those who wish to reside in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan. Most of the conditions were set in place by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for security purposes and also so we can carry out our services in a more organized and improved manner,” said Rashed Sulaiman Al-Baidani, director of public relations at Abdullah Al-Rajhi Mosque in Riyadh, in comments made to Al-Watan Arabic daily. “Among the requirements stated by the ministry include a copy of the identification card or iqama, a letter of approval from the sponsor for non-Saudis, a certificate of good health, and information of the car that will be parked outside the mosque,” added Al-Baidani. Priority will be given to the elderly, residents of the neighborhood surrounding the mosque, students of Islamic Education, scholars, and finally to those above the age of 20 years. Some of the services offered by the mosques' administration for worshipers staying in the mosque include the provision of nutritious meals for iftar and suhoor to be catered only from well-known restaurants. Cold and hot beverages will be served continuously from the time of Maghreb prayer until right before dawn. Laundry services are also provided on an organized delivery schedule. The administration assumes responsibility of ensuring a well-kept, properly maintained, clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned area inside the mosque for all worshipers. In some mosques, guest speakers and scholars periodically visit worshipers and give educational and motivational lectures for all to benefit from. In the crowded Lami Mosque on Tahlia St. in Jeddah, the race to apply for I'tikaaf has already begun as the imam announced that they can only accommodate 100 full-time worshipers this Ramadan.
