Saudi Gazette report

Makkah — The Mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba) area will be reserved for Umrah pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the directives of Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also the Chairman of the Central Haj Committee and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Regular worshipers, who are not performing Umrah, will not be allowed to enter the Mataf area between Magrib prayer and the end of Taraweeh prayer.

However, during the last 10 days of Ramadan the Mataf area will be reserved for Umrah pilgrims until the end of Tahajjud prayer. Those who wish to perform prayers should go to the areas outside Mataf where prayers are permitted.

The basement floor has been allocated for Itikaf (an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days devoting oneself to ibadah). Some of those observing Itikaf may be directed to other specific locations in the northern expansion if required.

These measures are being implemented for the comfort of pilgrims and visitors after the evaluation of the steps taken during the last Ramadan season.