As the Umrah season draws to a close and the Haj season begins, authorities here have chalked out an intensive cleaning and hygiene plan for the Grand Mosque, its plazas, toilets and bathrooms, according to Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdur-Rahman Al-Hussein, chief of the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. Al-Hussein said Saturday that a labor force of 3,000 men is working around-the-clock to clean the mosque and its surrounding areas. About 300 machines, along with other equipment, are being used for implementing a hygiene program of international standard, said Al-Hussein. Over 3,540 toilets with shower facilities have been provided for visitors to the Grand Mosque. Out of these, 303 have been earmarked for old and sick pilgrims. These toilets are washed several times a day with detergents and other cleaning liquids to kill bacteria and counter bad smells. A special factory cleans the more than 3,000 carpets used in the mosque and its plazas. In addition, hundreds of sweeping machines clean the carpets after every congregational prayer inside the Grand Mosque. The carpet-cleaning operation is supervised by 110 officials. Zamzam water is supplied in 30,000 thermoses equipped with sterilized plastic cups. During Haj and Umrah seasons, three million cups are used daily. A special team consisting of about 600 men fills the water cans and provides clean drinking cups. They also regularly clean the area around the thermoses.
