MAKKAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Central Haj Committee, reviewed a report presented by the adviser to the province, Hisham Al-Faleh, on the efforts of the governorate and other relevant bodies during the Umrah season in Ramadan.
The report stated that all phases of the expansion of the Grand Mosque, including the yard and the mataf have been prepared to receive and serve pilgrims and worshippers. All paths and spaces allocated to circumambulation in the Kaaba area, or other floors and roof are ready, which increased the capacity of the mataf to the maximum, which is 107,000 people per hour. The report revealed that the amount of Zamzam water consumed reached 35,000 tons.
The report mentioned that the Rifada and Siqaya committee, which is supervised by the governorate, aimed to distribute 6 million iftar meals during Ramadan, with the participation of 45 charity organizations and 15 kitchens and restaurants. More than 5.5 million meals have been distributed at Makkah and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, while the number of cooperating individuals reached around 2,300.
The report includes the most important decisions issued by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to facilitate matters for worshippers while performing worship during Ramadan. These included the allocation of the Kaaba area for circumambulation, while prayers should be performed in the halls, the expansion and upper floors of the mosque throughout Ramadan. Al-Umrah Gate will be opened temporarily for the remainder of Ramadan, in addition to operating the Groul tunnel for worshipers and Umrah pilgrims. Free food will be served in the yards of the Grand Mosque, and the work of the anti-negative phenomenon committee will be supported.
The bridge on the eastern front was opened and the clock in the southern yard, in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate was removed. The Grand Mosque Hospital was opened to offer medical services for visitors of the Grand Mosque. Around 20 million worshippers and Umrah pilgrims reached the mosque over 20 days and benefited from spaces in the northern expansion.
The report included relevant government and service bodies which implanted their plans starting from ports at the entry stage at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Jeddah Islamic Port and ending with their departure to make sure that work went according to plan.
The report revealed that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah received the largest number of Umrah pilgrims, at 645,000; the number of pilgrims who had left reached 265,000 by the 22nd day of Ramadan through 2,400 arrival flights and 1,500 departures.
According to the report, the Ministry of Interior at the airport completed the print and required data entry procedures and Customs officials checked the luggage of pilgrims, while the Ministry of Haj facilitated and offered services to Umrah pilgrims and solved problems that faced them, in addition to their tasks in following up on the situation of Umrah pilgrims in Makkah from their arrival to departure.
The report pointed out the anti-negative phenomenon committee in the central area, which is supervised by the governorate, clamped down on begging and motor bikes, in addition to implementing regulations against violators to make sure the central area was free of these things to enable Umrah pilgrims to perform their prayers easily and smoothly.
According the report, the authorities deployed all their potential to carry out municipal services, control markets, carry out light and road maintenance, in addition to inspections on slaughter houses and hygiene works.
Pilgrims consume 35,000 tons of Zamzam water
Pilgrims consume 35,000 tons of Zamzam water
