Coronavirus forces closure of courtyards at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque

The courtyards will close to pilgrims and visitors from Mar. 19. (AFP)
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Updated 20 March 2020
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Coronavirus forces closure of courtyards at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque

MAKKAH: Prayers have been temporarily canceled in the courtyards at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The courtyards will close to pilgrims and visitors from Mar. 19 as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Hani Haider, a spokesman for the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, called on the public to follow instructions and cooperate with the efforts to safeguard the health and safety of pilgrims and worshipers. He added that the presidency is working with security and health authorities to prepare the mosques so that prayers can said in a safe and healthy environment.
 


What makes the Taif Rose such a precious fragrance product?

Perfume artisan involvement aligns with Jazan Festival’s initiative repositioning traditional crafts as dynamic. (SPA)
Updated 09 January 2026
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What makes the Taif Rose such a precious fragrance product?

  • These farms produce nearly 550 million roses annually, all harvested during a brief season of no more than 45 days, from early March to the end of April

TAIF: Taif roses, renowned for their exceptional aroma and the meticulous care required in cultivation, harvesting, and processing, are among the Kingdom’s most valuable natural perfume products and stand out as prominent agricultural and cultural symbols deeply connected to the region’s heritage and tourism.

Taif rose farms, numbering over 910 and spread across Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat, Al-Wahit, and Wadi Liya, are home to approximately 1,144,000 rose bushes covering about 270 hectares of agricultural land. 

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Taif rose farms, numbering over 910 and spread across Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat, Al-Wahit, and Wadi Liya, are home to approximately 1,144,000 rose bushes covering about 270 hectares of agricultural land.

These farms produce nearly 550 million roses annually, all harvested during a brief season of no more than 45 days, from early March to the end of April.

This harvest yields around 20,000 tolas of Taif rose oil. Producing a single tola requires approximately 12,000 roses, which are picked manually at dawn and distilled within 24 hours to preserve the purity and quality of the scent before reaching the market.