Madinah Opens Women’s Prayer Halls Daily Across All Mosques
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Women in Madinah will now have daily access to designated prayer halls in mosques across the city after Saudi Arabia approved the opening of women’s musallas for all five obligatory prayers.
The decision, approved by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh, extends the arrangement beyond major religious sites to include ordinary neighbourhood mosques and large congregational mosques, known as jawami.
Under the new directive, women’s prayer sections that previously operated only on Fridays, during Ramadan’s Taraweeh prayers, Eid celebrations or peak pilgrimage seasons will now be available throughout the day for the five daily prayers.
The measure is expected to make it easier for women who are working, shopping, travelling or visiting Madinah to perform their prayers on time without having to return home or search for a mosque with an open women’s section.
Madinah Opens Women’s Prayer Halls Daily Across All Mosques
The approval is being implemented through the Madinah branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, headed by its Director-General, Sheikh Osama bin Zaid Al-Madkhali.
The ministry has also strengthened support for women’s prayer facilities, with female field personnel deployed to monitor and secure designated women’s areas.
A total of 115 women has been assigned as mosque monitors and security guards at women’s sections in several historic mosques in Madinah, including Sayyid al-Shuhada, Qiblatain, Khandaq, Ghamama, Mustarah and Jumu’ah mosques.
The new arrangement does not affect the Prophet’s Mosque, Masjid an-Nabawi, which already provides extensive women’s prayer facilities operating continuously.
The move represents a significant expansion of mosque access for women in Madinah and is expected to improve convenience for residents and visitors seeking to observe the five daily prayers.
