MAKKAH – The government and private authorities have completed their preparations to provide the best services to Umrah performers and visitors to the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. Emir of Makkah region Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said the services focus on security, safety, health and hygiene of the Guests of Allah. Deputy President for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Muhammad Nasser Al-Khuzaim said that 8,500 workers have been deployed to carry out these services. He said that the completed parts of the King Abdullah Expansion Project in the northern section of the Grand Mosque will be used for prayers. These parts form 70 percent of the ground floor and about 20 percent of the first and mezzanine floors. There will be electrical wheelchairs for the physically challenged and special passages for them. The temporary elevated passage around Mataf will be opened for wheelchairs. The 12-meter wide elevated passage will separate the physically challenged from other Umrah performers. Al-Khuzaim said that field committees have been formed to carry out inspection tours to the markets and shops. The municipality has increased the number of cleaners by 2,000 to bring the total to 8,500 workers provided with different machines and tools. The municipality has also formed a number of teams equipped with over 350 spraying devices and compressor trucks. The cleaning teams work around the clock in shifts. About 170 garbage compressor boxes have been readied. Out of these, 45 are in the Central Area. The municipality has prepared temporary parking lots at the gateways to Makkah. They are provided with lighting. Security men have been deployed to maintain order. Transport to and from the Haram will be provided. – SG/SPA
