Undisciplined itikaf observers creating a mess in mosque

MADINAH: Despite preparations by authorities to ease itikaf for the faithful, some of them are not following guidelines, which is causing inconvenience to worshippers.
Crowds of itikaf observers have been found with heavy luggage. And their pillows, sheets and other articles are not being put in the assigned places.
A number of visitors and worshippers have complained about it. It has been noted that itikaf observers wrongfully “reserve” places by putting their sheets and luggage on spots of their choice without taking into account the feelings and needs of regular worshippers. This has caused chaos and congestion, and an inability to move, sit and pray inside the Prophet’s Mosque.
Talal Khumri, a citizen, told Al-Madinah daily that this phenomenon causes congestion. Indiscipline also results in harassment of worshippers.
He proposed allocating a place surrounded by barriers for itikaf observers, which would make it easier for regular worshippers to move around freely.
Imad Al-Ajl, another citizen, said some of the visitors are unaware of the sections allocated to them because of their lack of Arabic knowledge.
Abdulaziz Al-Harbi said that some of the visitors did not take into account the sanctity of the Prophet’s Mosque and brought excess baggage and put it in places not meant for itikaf observers.
Issa Omar pointed out that itikaf in the Prophet’s Mosque is highly rewarding, but excess baggage strewn in prayer rows and corridors creates a mess.
Mohammed Rehaily stressed that there is a need to control people in itikaf who must strictly follow guidelines for luggage.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said it has provided 1,000 special wheeled luggage containers for itikaf observes in the northern sites of the mosque.
It also emphasized that it is not appropriate to use the Qur’an cabinets, the walls of the mosque or the shoeboxes to store personal belongings. They should avoid sleeping during Tahajjud prayer and refrain from sitting between rows during prayer times, it said.
It said instructions are described in the registration form and flyers have been distributed in addition to messages relayed on the electronic boards.