Just like men and women would not be offering Salah side by side in the routine, so is inside the Haram. There are separate prayer areas for men and women when it comes to Salah in Haram. Tawaf and Sayee, however, are performed collectively. There’s no particular segregation but it’s advised for both the genders to have an appropriate distance.
If you are travelling though all-inclusive Umrah Packages with your family, men and women should pray in the designated areas. The security officials and other authorities present in KSA make appropriate arrangements for it. They not only have dedicated prayer areas for women but also help in segregation during prayers.
In Islam, men and women have a mutual respect and Awrah that they need to maintain between each other. It is a matter of ‘Haya’. Therefore, just like Islam forbid mixed gatherings, praying should also be in separate areas for them. Men and women cannot offer payers standing side by side.
The ideal case is that there should dedicated and separate areas for both the genders. However, it is also permissible that men stand in the front rows and then women stand in the last rows. Segregation helps both the genders to offer their payers comfortably and peacefully. It also ensures privacy.
Here’s what you need to know about special prayer areas for women in Masjid-al-Haram.
King Fahad Area.
The first floor of King Fahad’s Expansion area of Haram provides a secure and comfortable place for women to offer their prayers. This area is specifically for female pilgrims where they can gather. Therefore, offering holy rituals in the groups with other fellow female pilgrims. There are no male pilgrims present here.
Behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim (AS).
There’s a small area behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim (AS) that allows sufficient space for female pilgrims to pray. It is also closest to Holy Kaabah. Therefore, women wishing to go near Kaabah can utilize this space during Tawaf as well. Especially during the off peak times.
Here, you can easily offer your Salat-al-Ihram and other prayers. Since it is also a women specific area, female pilgrims can have peace of mind and comfort while praying.
Roof of Haram.
During the peak times, like Ramadan and Hajj, women can go to the open-air floor i.e. roof of Haram. However, going there is preferred during the cooler times. Otherwise you will be encountering very harsh sunlight and heat as there’s no covering on it. This area not only provides a dedicated space for women to offer their prayers but also beautiful views of the Holy Kaabah and Haram.
If you are arriving with 1st Ashra Ramadan Umrah Packages, then roof of Haram is the ideal place to offer prayers in a serene and segregated environment.
Tawaf Area.
Though there isn’t a designated Tawaf area for women to offer holy rituals, certain arrangements are there to ensure separation to maximum extent. Some women perform Tawaf in groups in the outer rows while others prefer specific areas where men are less in number.
Masa.
This is the area for Sayee rituals. Just like Tawaf, Sayee also doesn’t have any strict segregation between men and women. They are performing the holy rituals together. However, if you want, Masa area offers division for both the genders. Men use one side of the division to offer holy rituals while women perform Sayee on the other side.
Other entrances and areas.
There are many women-only entrances to Haram that provide direct access to the first floor and roof area. This is particularly useful for women to avoid crowded times i.e. with Umrah Packages 2025 UK in Ramadan.
For the elderly women or female pilgrims with special needs, there’s mobility assistance available. You can get wheelchairs, electric scooters or carts for the holy rituals.
Ablution areas and restrooms.
Masjid-al-haram offers separate ablution areas and restrooms for female pilgrims to ensure maximum privacy and comfort. There areas are present throughout the haram, especially where women-only payer areas are present. Therefore, ensuring ease of access and convenience.
Crowd control.
During the crowded times, there are female volunteers and staff members present in Haram. They assist the female pilgrims in their segregation needs as well as manage crowds. These personnel also ensure that the dedicated areas of prayers for women remain organized and men-free. Therefore, ensuring a safe, private and memorable pilgrimage experience for both the genders.
If you are travelling with 1st Ashra Ramadan Umrah Packages be aware of the huge crowds you might have to encounter. There might be lesser space available in these separate areas. So reach Haram early to avoid any inconvenience. In addition, it’s also a duty of every male and female pilgrim to ensure their privacy and comfort. So try to maintain appropriate distance during the holy rituals and avoid mixing.
