MAKKAH – The Miqat Mosque in Jurana along the Makkah-Taif Highway is surrounded by sewage water, spreading bad smell, causing environment pollution and creating problems for thousands of pilgrims who pass by the mosque to pray and put on their ihrams. The mosque is situated 25 km away from Makkah. Jurana is actually the name of the well where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took bath and wore ihram to perform Umrah while returning from Taif. Beside the mosque signboards have been installed to indicate the starting point of Haram. Residents of Jurana have expressed their dismay over the National Water Company's negligence as NWC has not taken any action to prevent surfacing of sewage water around the mosque that is visited by a large number of pilgrims every day, especially during Haj and Umrah seasons. They emphasized the need to construct sewage networks in Jurana. The network has reached a few kilometers away from the mosque. Many pilgrims visit the place because of its historical importance. District chief (umda) Yahya Al-Hilali attributed the surfacing of sewage water around the Miqat Mosque to NWC's failure to construct sewage network in the district. "This has forced some citizens to link the district with the network illegally," the umda told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He urged the company to complete construction of sewage networks in the remaining Makkah districts to avoid creation of swamps that serve as breeding grounds of disease-carrying mosquitoes. "The network has reached close to Jurana and I hope the company would link the district with the network as early as possible to end environment pollution," he added. Saud Al-Otaibi wondered why NWC was not taking any remedial action to prevent the surfacing of sewage water around the Miqat Mosque. "Most pilgrims wish to visit this mosque being part of the Islamic heritage. It's the duty of NWC and other government departments to keep such historical places in the best form in order to protect them as well as to impress visitors and pilgrims," Al-Otaibi said. Many pilgrims visit the mosque to follow in footsteps of the Prophet (pbuh) and pray there. Musfer Al-Malki, chief administrator of Jurana, said some Jurana districts have got sewage networks five years ago. "It stopped at the public road opposite the mosque. We have presented several complaints but authorities did not take any action to complete the network." Okaz/Saudi Gazette informed the company about residents' complaints and worries but it did not respond.
