MAKKAH/MADINAH, October 1, SPA -- The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs has launched various projects with an aim to reduce crowding and improve services for pilgrims and visitors who flock to the two holy mosques in large numbers in the last 10 days of Ramadan, according to Abdul Mohsin Homaid, director general of the Projects and Studies Department at the presidency.
A 14-meter wide, 70-meter long pedestrian bridge across the courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Makkah was commissioned partially last week. The bridge links the western and southern courtyards with the first storey of the mosque. The arrangements on the bridge, such as the flooring, railings and the special lane, are temporary. Escalators that lead to the bridge are in place. Operation and security personnel are at hand around the clock to ensure everything runs smoothly, according to a report published today by Arab News.
The new bridge has eased crowding in the southern courtyard and on the mosque's ground floor. The bridge enables large numbers of worshippers to enter the first floor directly, which reduces crowding on the ground floor. The final stage of the bridge will be completed and fully commissioned once the present season is over. The architectural style of the bridge will be consistent with the rest of the mosque.
The expanded Masaie (the track between Safa and Marwah) will also be partially commissioned this season. The lighting, ventilation and acoustic systems of the ground floor have already been completed.
The other improvements at the Holy Mosque in Makkah include boosting Zamzam water supply, refurbishing toilets and renovating electronic guidance boards at the entrances and courtyards of the mosque.
Meanwhile, The Madinah branch of the General Presidency has hired nearly 4,000 men and women to work in its various administrative and operation departments during the Ramadan season.
The presidency's Guidance Administration gives daily classes to the visitors to the mosque and clarifies their doubts on religious matters. The administration has appointed a number of religious scholars and teachers at different locations in the mosque for the purpose.
The administration also runs the mosques' libraries where books and audiocassettes are available for reference. The administration is responsible to supply sufficient number of the copies of the Holy Qur'an for worshippers inside the mosque and in the courtyard. The administration has a female wing to take care of the women's halls in the mosque. This wing streamlines the flow of women pilgrims to the Rawda (area close to the grave) of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and other parts of the mosque.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice helps the guidance administration in holding religious classes and instructing the visitors on the manner in which they should visit the mosque and other places in Madinah.
The Maintenance and Water Supply Administration illuminates the mosque and the courtyard and maintains the huge umbrellas that provide shade in extreme weather conditions, escalators and the air-conditioning in the mosque. This administration is also responsible to keep the 20 Zamzam tanks and 7,000 drums filled with the water brought by trucks from Makkah. Six huge trucks bring Zamzam water from Makkah every day.
The officials of the Courtyards and Car parks Administration guide the men and women visitors to their separate areas in the mosque. The administration also looks after the people who lost their way at the mosque and its courtyards and strives to return them to their groups. These officials are in charge of opening and closing the passageways that lead to the escalators to the mosque's roof. They also allocate the locations where the worshippers may break their fast. The visitors are allowed to bring in a few food items such as the dates, milk, meat and rice.
The Cleaning and Carpets Administration is responsible to keep the carpets clean and in good condition.
There are 9,600 large prayer carpets. There are 1,900 toilets and 5,783 water taps. Its 1,300 cleaning workers and 20 cleaning trucks start working shortly after the Iftar to make the place ready for the night prayers.
The Gates Administration guards the gates and informs the Red Crescent about sick visitors who need medical attention.
The Coordination and Follow-up Administration is responsible for the coordinated functioning of all departments so that the pilgrims worship in safety and comfort.
© Saudi Press Agency 2007
