5,700 employees set to serve Grand Mosque pilgrims

More than 5,700 employees will serve pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah this Ramadan, a senior official has announced.

Nasser bin Muhammad Al-Khuzaim, deputy chairman of the Presidency of the Holy Mosques Affairs, said there would be more scholars this year to give religious advice and answer queries from pilgrims.

“The presidency has approved its Ramadan plan...The plan is aimed at providing serenity and tranquility for worshippers to perform their rituals,” he said in comments published by Arab News on Tuesday.

Final touches are being put on the Grand Mosque expansion project initiated by King Abdullah, Al-Khuzaim told the paper.

He said the five-level Masaa, where pilgrims perform the ritual walk between the mounts of Safa and Marwah, is now ready to receive pilgrims.

He added that glass barriers were being installed around Al-Safa at ground and underground levels, adding that certain areas of the mountain have been repaired and coated with translucent film to prevent people from scribbling on them.

He said the width of the Masaa on the ground floor has been increased substantially, while 62 temporary bathrooms were being built near Al-Fatah Gate to compensate for those being knocked down at Al-Shamiya for the expansion of the northern courtyard.

Ramadan is expected to start on Wednesday August 11.