MAKKAH/MADINA: Authorities this year are handling the Umrah crowds better than last year. On Friday at 11.45 A.M. red lights on the gates of the Grand Mosque started sending signals showing that all the areas, corridors and roofs were completely filled with visitors, Umrah performers and people who came to perform the Friday noon prayers. The mosque's Security Command supported by the Special Haj and Umrah Forces organized and diverted the crowds to prevent any incidents. The traffic police blocked the streets surrounding the Grand Mosque to enable pedestrians to cross the roads safely after prayers. Abdul Wahab Hattab, Director of Public Relations at the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque, said the presidency has overcome last year's shortcomings, which has helped to ease the flow of visitors to the Prophet's Mosque on Fridays.
