Indonesian Congregants Are Urged To Stay Prokes When Touching The Kaaba

Muslims from various countries scramble to touch the door of the Kaaba after the barrier that was installed for 2.5 years due to the pandemic was reopened on Tuesday (2/8/2022) (ANTARA/Desi Purnamawati)

MEKKAH - Head of the Health Section of the Mecca Work Area Muhammad Imran appealed to Indonesian pilgrims to maintain health protocols (prokes) when touching and kissing the Kaaba.

"We urge the congregation not to force themselves to kiss the Black Stone if there is a crowd. The procedure is still enforced, using masks, hand sanitizers, avoiding crowds as much as possible," Imran said in Mecca as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 4.

He said Indonesian pilgrims had received a complete vaccination for COVID-19, which was expected to protect against exposure to the disease. In addition, Indonesian pilgrims are also disciplined in using masks when performing Umrah.

Previously, the barrier that surrounded the Kaaba for 2.5 years had been reopened on Thursday (2/8) at 22:50 Saudi Arabian Time (WAS).

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are able to kiss and touch the Kaaba again after the barrier is opened.

Thousands of worshipers queued in front of the Black Stone and around the door of the Kaaba, to be able to touch the qibla of Muslims when the officers cleaned the area.

Other pilgrims who perform tawaf or walk around the Kaaba also often try to touch all sides of the cube-shaped building.

When they can touch the building which is covered with a black silk kiswah cloth, it is not uncommon for pilgrims to kiss and wipe the walls of the Kaaba while praying.

The government of Saudi Arabia once again received pilgrims from abroad in the Hajj season of 1443 H / 2022 AD with restrictions after two years of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, pilgrims cannot touch the Kaaba because the surroundings are limited by a building about 130 cm high, so that pilgrims can only see the Kaaba from outside the barrier.