MAKKAH, 18 October 2006 — Residents living in the old quarters of central Makkah are up in arms in response to a new Ramadan road plan implemented by traffic police to avoid congestion and traffic jams during the holy month.
With an abundance of cars and pilgrims flocking en masse to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, traffic police in the holy city have banned residents living in the central areas from taking their cars up to their homes. Many residents say they are suffering a lot of pain by being forced to park their vehicles far away from where they live.
“We are suffering a lot because the police have banned cars from entering the neighborhood. They say there are lots of people walking through the area on their way to the Grand Mosque. This is a very tiring thing for us,” said Saleh Bakr, a resident living in the Al-Mesfala neighborhood that is located very close to the Grand Mosque.
“Residents are finding it difficult to buy things because they have a big problem bringing larger items to their homes. Sometimes we have to park our cars far away and walk long distances to our homes,” added Bakr angrily.
With no underground gas pipes supplying to homes, people living in the Kingdom generally keep gas cylinders in their kitchens and visit gas shops periodically for refilling. Bakr said many residents have a huge problem carrying their gas cylinders and other items home.
Khaled Ahmad, resident of Al-Misyal neighborhood, said that he too has been prevented from parking in front of his residence. The streets have been blocked off, which prevents even pick-ups and drop-offs.
Ahmad added that this rule had first been applied 20 years ago. “Many residents hated living in the central area and moved out. Those with bad financial abilities had to stay and bear the problems,” he said.
Muhammad Seef, a resident of Al-Shamiya, said people in his area have also suffered. “We cannot enter our homes during the month of Ramadan because police block us out and do not allow us to enter the area one hour before and after each prayer. There are five prayers in a day and therefore a delay of two hours for each prayer. We waste 10 hours every day,” he said.
Seef said that in the past people would use side streets and back roads to reach their homes, but traffic police have also barricaded such routes.
Mesfer Atyan, a resident of the Al-Hafayer neighborhood, said he has rented an apartment further away from the bustle and this is where he lives during Ramadan. Some residents, Atyan says, use Ramadan as a chance to visit out of town in-laws.
