Saudi authorities have allowed conducting marriage contracts at IslamÕs two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina as part of initiatives launched to enrich the experiences of pilgrims and visitors, according to a Saudi newspaper.

The initiative was unveiled by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allowing the well-organised conducting of nuptial contracts with comfort and ease at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the ProphetÕs Mosque in Medina, Al Watan reported.

Experts have called the initiative a ÒchanceÓ for companies to come up with innovative ideas to organise such events with reverence for both places taken into consideration, reports Gulf News.

Saudi mazoun, or marriage official, Musaed Al Jabri said conducting a marriage contract at the mosque is permissible in Islam, saying that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is known to have conducted a companionÕs nuptial rite at the mosque.

Al Jabri noted that conducting the marriage contract at the ProphetÕs Mosque is already common among the Medina locals.

ÒThis is due to several reasons,Ó he said. ÒSome of them have the tradition of inviting most relatives of the would-be married couple. Often, the house of the wife-to-beÕs family canÕt accommodate all the invitees. So, the nuptial contract is conducted at the ProphetÕs Mosque or the Qaba Mosque (the first mosque built in Islam),Ó he added.

Some people, he argued, believe that conducting a marriage contract at the mosque brings Òblessing and good luckÓ.

On rules that attendees of the ceremony should observe, he said they include averting the distraction of worshippers by loud voices. ÒIt is also important to heed the sanctity of the place and avoid bringing in a lot of coffee, sweets, or food,” Al Jabri added.

Millions of Muslims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia annually go to the Grand Mosque to perform Umrah and visit the ProphetÕs Mosque and other Islamic landmarks in Medina