The Saudi government has allowed holding nikkah ceremony (marriage contracts) at Makkah’s Grand Mosque and Medina’s Prophet’s Mosque, Gulf News quoted a Saudi newspaper as reporting.

Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah permitted to conduct nuptial contracts at the two holiest sites in the kingdom to enrich the experiences of pilgrims and visitors, Al Watan reported.

Meanwhile, the experts termed the initiative a “chance” for companies to launch innovative ideas to organise such events while respecting the sanctity of both places.

Musaed Al Jabri, a Saudi marriage official, said that holding a nikkah at the mosque is permissible in Islam, adding that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has also conducted a companion’s nuptial rite at the mosque.

Al Jabri mentioned that conducting marriage contract at the Prophet’s Mosque is a common routine among the Medina locals.

“This is due to several reasons,” he said. “Some of them have the tradition of inviting most relatives of the would-be married couple. Often, the house of the wife-to-be’s family can’t accommodate all the invitees. So, the nuptial contract is conducted at the Prophet’s Mosque or the Qaba Mosque (the first mosque built in Islam),” he added.

The attendees of the nikkah will be required to follow some rules such as avoiding the distraction of worshippers by loud noises.

“It is also important to heed the sanctity of the place and avoid bringing in a lot of coffee, sweets, or food,” Al Jabri added.