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Saudi Arabia marks a unique start to Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH this Friday, March 20, 2026, as the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance enacts a nationwide pivot to indoor-only prayer services. This high-level directive comes after the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) issued an urgent alert for scattered heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds across multiple provinces. To prioritize the safety of millions of worshippers, traditional open-air musallas (prayer grounds) have been officially suspended in all areas flagged by the weather warning. The Ministry has ordered all local branches to ensure mosques are fully operational, cleaned, and climate-controlled to accommodate the overflow typically seen in outdoor spaces.
In the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, the situation for Umrah pilgrims remains a top priority for Saudi authorities. With the Umrah season reaching its peak, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has deployed advanced digital crowd management via the Nusuk platform to prevent congestion at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during the rain. Pilgrims are being guided through "green-light" entry systems that monitor real-time capacity, while special priority pathways and electric carts have been reinforced for elderly and disabled visitors to navigate the wet conditions safely. Notably, this Friday marks a critical deadline as the Ministry begins a planned transition; the issuance of new Umrah visas is set to pause following the first day of Eid to prepare for the upcoming Hajj season.
Looking ahead to the next 48 hours, the government is shifting focus toward "Friday Double Prayer" protocols. Since Eid falls on a Friday this year, the Ministry has clarified that imams will lead both the Eid prayer—scheduled for 15 minutes after sunrise—and the traditional Friday Jumu'ah prayer. Security personnel and volunteers are currently being redistributed to manage the logistical challenge of two major congregational events happening within hours of each other under a rainy forecast. Worshippers are advised to arrive early and utilize the Ministry's digital maps to find the nearest available indoor mosque space, as the Kingdom emphasizes a "safety-first" celebration for 2026.
