The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is geared up with unprecedented arrangements to receive hundreds of thousands of Umrah pilgrims and worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan, which marks the peak annual Umrah season. Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency, said that all preparations and arrangements are well in place to offer the best services to pilgrims and visitors. "Under the guidance of the rulers, the Presidency, in coordination with all the concerned government departments and security agencies, has mobilized all its personnel and resources to cope with the huge influx of the faithful at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Our nation shoulders the great responsibility of serving those visiting the Two Holy Mosques by enabling them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort," said Al-Sudais. He also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his directive at Monday's Cabinet session to make the best possible preparations in serving the pilgrims during Ramadan. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Khuzaim, deputy head of the Presidency, said the Presidency has made elaborate preparations to facilitate the smooth flow of a record number of pilgrims who are expected to flock to the holy cities from all over the world during the holy month, which coincides with the annual summer vacation in many parts of the Arab and Muslim world. "The Presidency has made available all kinds of services and facilities for the worshippers, and these included appointing scholars to offer Islamic lectures and guidance classes, distribution of Islamic books and leaflets, organizing iftar meals, making available golf carts for carrying elderly and disabled worshippers etc. "All the administrative and technical services are also in place in addition to the lighting, A/C, sound system, camera surveillance, and other facilities," he said. Al-Khuzaim expected a record number of Umrah pilgrims during the holy month with the completion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba), the total capacity of which has risen to 107,000 pilgrims per hour. Meanwhile, the Presidency, in cooperation with the health affairs directorate in Makkah region, will carry out a two-day meningitis vaccination campaign for its male and female staff members from Wednesday.
