Saudi Arabia’s King Salman urged the world’s Muslims to put “differences and disunity” aside and ensure that stability and security prospers during the month of Ramadan. The world is marking the holy month for the second year under strict coronavirus precautions, and Saudi Arabia has brought in new measures due to a surge in infected cases. “We praise God for allowing us to experience the blessed month of Ramadan, we ask him to ensure stability, security and peace for all Muslims and to overcome the pandemic for everyone,” King Salman said on Twitter on the first day of the holy month. "God enabled the month of Ramadan to become an opportunity for Muslims to review themselves, encouraging competition in good deeds," he said. It is a month of "mercy", said the king. Health Ministry reported 950 new cases on Tuesday during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infected cases to 400,228. The ministry also reported eight new deaths, taking the death toll to 6,773. King Salman also urged citizens and residents to strictly adhere to the coronavirus preventive measures and to ensure that everyone takes the vaccine. The government announced new regulations for the holy month. King Salman approved that taraweeh prayers be shortened from 20 rakaat (salutations) to 10, limiting the Ramadan prayers to 30 minutes, in addition to maintaining restrictions on the number of worshippers in the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. Social distancing and wearing of masks will be mandatory for all visitors. “Saudi Arabia’s efforts have yielded success in combating the coronavirus pandemic.” “We are proud of the precautionary measures taken by the kingdom and the advanced technology used by it to ensure the safety of those who wish to visit the Two Holy Mosques,” he said. During the holy month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. It typically lasts for either 29 or 30 days.
