JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved the decision to reduce Taraweeh prayers in the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah with the continued suspension of entry of worshipers to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday citing a statement from the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques' Affairs.

Earlier on Tuesday, General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais announced that Taraweeh prayers would be reduced to just five Tasleemat (10 Raka'h) with the continuation of performing the ritual of night prayers (Al-Qyam) and completing the Holy Qur’an (Khatm Al-Qur’an) in the Two Holy Mosques. All these prayers would only be attended by the authority’s employees and workers.

Al-Sudais said that the aim of easing and reducing these prayers was to apply precautionary and preventive measures.

Earlier this week, the Council of Senior Scholars urged Muslims cross the globe to pray inside their homes during Ramadan if they reside in countries that have imposed coronavirus restrictions such as curfews and lockdowns. — SPA