Does Saudi Arabia Have A Separate Muslims-only Road Leading To Madinah?

During Ramadan, Muslim countries implement numerous rules and regulations that even non-Muslims are expected to follow. In Arab countries, non-Muslims are regularly instructed to refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public places, and to avoid wearing tight clothes. These guidelines apply to tourists as well. It is advised to avoid dining out in the evening. People of all religions must adhere to these regulations. Is there really a country that has a separate road for Muslims, with a ban on non-Muslims using it? Let’s explore the truth behind such claims circulating on social media.

Mecca and Madinah are considered sacred places in Islam, and visiting these cities is a significant event for Muslims. There are claims circulating on social media that non-Muslims are prohibited from using certain roads. According to the Saudi tourism website ‘Visit Saudi,’ non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holy mosques of Mecca and Madinah, such as Masjid-e-Nabawi. The historical and cultural sites around these mosques are accessible to everyone.

There’s another specific claim that in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara, the second holiest city in Islam, there is a traffic sign on the road leading to the Prophet’s Mosque indicating that the road is exclusively for Muslims.

After fact-checking through middleeastmonitor.com, a report has confirmed that authorities have removed the sign on the road leading to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara that previously stated ‘Muslims only.’ This indicates that such restrictions were indeed in place on this road. Saudi Arabian officials have since changed the signage to read ‘Haram area.’ Photos of the updated signs have been shared on social media, clarifying the current status of the road.

Many Saudi users appreciated this step of the government and claimed that this was an indicator of a growing sense of tolerance towards non-Muslims, going beyond ultra-conservative thinking. A few years ago, an Israeli journalist tried to forcefully enter the restricted areas of Central Madinah, but was stopped.