MAKKAH: In the run-up to Ramadan, which could begin either on Tuesday or Wednesday, official bodies overseeing the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the city's smaller mosques, the Civil Defense, the traffic police and the Health Affairs Department have all geared up with additional staff to welcome pilgrims and visitors to the holy city.
The number of pilgrims, both domestic and foreign, coming to perform Umrah during the holy month is burgeoning day by day.
Muhammad Al-Khuzaim, deputy chairman of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said the Grand Mosque is ready to receive the worshippers and 5,700 people have been employed to serve them.
He added that the presidency will also focus on creating awareness of religious issues among pilgrims. "We're planning to provide a serene and safe atmosphere for pilgrims and visitors to perform their rituals," he said.
Al-Khuzaim said the expansion of the Masaa, where pilgrims walk between the mounts of Safa and Marwah as part of the pilgrimage, has been completed. He said glass barriers have been installed around Al-Safa at both the ground and underground levels.
Abdul Rahman Al-Hazmi, director of the Makkah branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawa and Guidance, said all mosques in Makkah have been supplied with sufficient rugs and copies of the Qur'an.
He said his office is also paying particular attention to mosques situated at the region's various meeqats, where pilgrims are required to don their ihrams, and the city's five large car parks.
Brig. Jameel Arbaeen, director of the Civil Defense, said his organization has also completed all preparations for Ramadan and that there will be increased staff on hand. "We have helicopters ready for any emergency evacuations. Firefighters will be available 24/7 and we've dispatched monitoring teams to check the level of air pollution in tunnels," he said.
He said large plasma screens providing people with information have also been installed in front of hotels and furnished apartments.
Col. Ahmad Nashi Al-Otaibi, director of traffic, said the city's traffic police will be supported by 1,900 students and 600 supporting personnel to help organize traffic flow during the holy month. "There will be five patrols, each working a six-hour shift covering the entire day and night. We have set 12 points in the central area around the Grand Mosque to separate pedestrians from vehicles," Al-Otaibi said.
He added that cars will not be allowed to park in the central area close to the Grand Mosque or along major roads in Makkah, adding that five car parks have been designated for people arriving in the city from outside Makkah.
Dr. Khaled Zafar, director of Health Affairs in Makkah, said health services will be provided to pilgrims and visitors through five health centers inside the Grand Mosque and a similar number in courtyards, in addition to the general hospitals in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif. He said the health centers will work around the clock to provide first aid and deal with emergency cases.
Mayor of Makkah Osama Al-Bar said much focus has been put on cleanliness and monitoring prices. "More than 8,500 workers equipped with more than 800 cleaning devices will keep Makkah clean during Ramadan," he said.
By Badea Abu Al-Naja
© Arab News 2010
