JEDDAH: The Grand Mosque has been prepared to receive Umrah pilgrims during the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan, vice chairman of the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Dr. Muhammad bin Nasser Al-Khuzaim said on Saturday.
“About 3,300 men and women, comprising 1,756 permanent staff members of the presidency and 1,526 temporary workers, will implement the presidency's plan for the fasting month,” he said, adding that only dates and Arabic coffee will be allowed inside the mosque complex.
He asked visitors not to take with them inside the Mosque Zamzam water in plastic containers “because the water may spill making the floor slippery and so causing people to fall down and get hurt.”
He also urged that visitors realize the mosque is not a place for sleeping, to put the garbage in the special bins dedicated for that, place their shoes outside, not to smoke in the areas surrounding the mosque and not to do their ablutions from the drinking water taps.
“Visitors should respect the sanctity of the place and the sacredness of the holy month. They should not sit on corridors or block the movement of other people,” he said. The deputy chairman said the final touches in the expansion project of Masaa (walking between Safa and Marwa) would be completed before the advent of the holy month. A pedestrian flyover in Marwa leading to the bus terminal is also expected to be completed.
“Drinking water taps will be made available in all parts of the mosque and also in the surrounding areas. The eastern expansion will be made ready and the cleansing will continue throughout the day and night,” he said.
Al-Khuzaim said the studies to determine the hydraulic specifications of the Zamzam well, being carried with the Saudi Geological Survey, will soon be completed. He also said the sterilization of Zamzam water will also be completed and that the water will automatically be poured into containers for the public outside the Haram.
“Under instructions of the leadership, the presidency will provide all services to enable pilgrims and visitors to perform their rituals in peace and comfort,” he reiterated.
Al-Khuzaim announced that religious lessons will continue day and night in various parts of the Haram and said there are special office and telephone lines for fatwas.
