Hundreds of thousands of Muslims assemble in the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah for iftar (breaking of the fast) during Ramadan every day.
People from different parts of the world, especially pilgrims, sit shoulder to shoulder in rows inside the two mosques as well as their vast courtyards for iftar in an elegant expression of Islamic solidarity.
Mosleh Al-Mahmadi, director of the department for courtyards, said: “We have set out a special plan for organizing iftar in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.”
Philanthropists and charitable organizations should get permission from Al-Mahmadi’s department to distribute iftar and other food items in the Haram during Ramadan. He added: “We have set up a number of committees to organize iftar every day.
“We have appointed monitors to check food, especially cooked dishes, before they are distributed among the worshippers.”
He said more than 500 male and female employees have been appointed to serve the guests of God in the Two Holy Mosques during Ramadan, especially in the last 10 days of the holy month when millions of faithful flock the two mosques.
Al-Mahmadi said employees would be deployed in all the parts of the Grand Mosque to monitor and prevent negative practices.
He said: “Our employees make arrangements for the smooth flow of pilgrims to and from the mosque.”
The committee will erect 120 signboards in different languages instructing visitors to maintain the mosque’s neatness and prevent children from playing inside.
Multi colored maps in both Arabic and English indicating the current position of worshippers have been installed to help visitors and pilgrims.
The department has established a number of lockers around the two holy mosques for people to keep their valuables.
These modern lockers are designed to meet pilgrims’ requirements and keep the mosque’s surroundings neat and tidy.
There are 1,300 lockers distributed in seven places near the Grand Mosque.
Al-Mahmadi appealed visitors and pilgrims to cooperate with the mosque’s employees and officials to protect the sanctity of the two holy mosques.
Iftar parties at Two Holy Mosques attract thousands
