MAKKAH: All government departments in this holy city have completed preparations to welcome pilgrims and visitors who are flocking to Makkah from across the world in time for Ramadan.
People are converging to the city to perform Umrah and spend a few days of the blessed month in the Grand Mosque in prayer and supplication. Government organs have, as a result, geared themselves up to ensure pilgrims have a safe, peaceful and comfortable stay in the city.
The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques began a multifaceted plan to provide a serene atmosphere of worship in the Grand Mosque and its surrounding courtyards. The presidency says it is working in conjunction with other concerned bodies to organize the smooth entry and exit of people into the Grand Mosque.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Propagation and Guidance has mobilized all of its human and material resources to serve guests.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense has deployed more than 4,000 officers, privates and technicians in preparation for Ramadan. Under its plan, Makkah has been divided into nine regions to help the organization attend emergencies with ease.
According to Director of the Civil Defense Col. Jameel Muhammad Omar Arbaeen, the Civil Defense has at hand 61 fire extinguishing units, 31 rescue units, 480 safety patrols, 11 fast intervention teams, 10 evacuation teams and eight monitoring units to check pollution inside the city’s tunnels.
“Giant plasma screens have been set up at the gates of Makkah as well as at hotels, furnished apartments and major roads asking visitors to be vigilant,” he said.
Col. Arbaeen said the Civil Defense has at hand 280 fast intervention units supplied with fire extinguishing and rescue equipment. “They will be working around the clock and will be ready to move at any time to deal with and contain any risks,” he said.
He added that helicopters would be continuously hovering above the city to attend emergencies. “A total of 15 work stations manned by more than 350 well-trained paramedics have been established inside the Grand Mosque to deal with emergency cases,” he said. According to Col. Arbaeen, 30 surveillance teams have been established to inspect safety at hotels and furnished apartments.
The government’s security departments have also started implementing plans to provide security and safety. Security personnel have also been summoned from other areas to work in Makkah during Ramadan. Security has also been tightened in the central area around the Grand Mosque and on major roads leading to it.
The traffic police has also geared itself up to ensure a smooth flow of traffic inside Makkah and on roads leading to the holy city. A total of 86 officers and 3,180 soldiers supplied with 250 cars and motorbikes will work around the clock. Special parking lots have been allocated for visitors coming from outside Makkah.
“There will be an all out mobilization of traffic police to avoid bottlenecks, ensure the smooth flow of traffic and monitor roads around the clock,” said Col. Ahmed bin Nashi Al-Otaibi, director of Traffic Department in Makkah.
The Makkah Municipality has also completed plans to clean the holy city, establish a high standard of environmental health, and monitor shops and restaurants.
“We have completed all our lighting, afforestation and asphalting work. We have built more toilets and rest places,” said Dr. Osama bin Fadl Al-Baz, mayor of Makkah.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) has completed arrangements to provide transport around the clock to and from the Holy Mosque.
