Tawaf – current restrictions

To multiply the area of the Holy Mosque in Makkah to house millions of more pilgrims the authorities of Saudi Arabia have lodged a vast project. The ongoing new expansion project in Holy Haram put some restriction on Tawaf. Although due to this expansion it becomes easy for the large number of people to accommodate easily but currently pilgrims of Umrah face some restrictions on the performance of Tawaf. As we mention above the importance of Tawaf and we know that without performing Tawaf one’s Umrah or Hajj is neither valid nor complete. Tawaf means circling around something and during Umrah and Hajj Muslims circle around the Kabah for seven times and it is the most important ritual of both Hajj and Umrah.
For the current time, the Tawaf area is more than 50% closed due to heavy construction and renovation project. It gets full very fast and quite a struggle to complete for pilgrims. That is why we recommend to the pilgrims that only young and able should attempt unless in wheelchair. For the current situation it is better to enter from the King Fahad Gate in Ihram as you will not be allowed to enter without ihram and take a slightly twisted route to the central Tawaf area. Pilgrims can also choose to do the longer Tawaf under the shaded areas.
Many of the gates are closed and it’s not clear which one will be open when you are there as it changes even during the day time where gates are suddenly closed. King Fahad Gate entrance appears to be the main entrance and leads directly to the central Tawaf area. The entry at this gate only granted to the men in ihram and women accompanying men in ihram. It is necessary for the women to accompanying mahram otherwise they won’t allow them to pass. Entry from other gates may lead to the roofed areas where pilgrims can do Tawaf but they have longer distance especially Al Bait have much much longer distance.
There is a specific gate set aside for the current restriction and it’s got a pic of the Holy Kabah and labelled as Mataf. Mataf is directly opposite to the clock tower. At this entrance all the above mention restriction apply but once you enter the gate just proceed behind the other pilgrims and follow the path laid out which will eventually lead you onto the Kabah floor. You simply have to follow the path and join up with the other Tawaf pilgrims just before the green light. If you enter from the Mataf gate you can’t get lost. Hence, Tawaf around the Kabah is restricted to those doing Umrah. Others can do Tawaf on 1st and 2nd floors and this is the current situation of performing Tawaf in Holy Haram.