MAKKAH — All government agencies involved in pilgrimage services are bracing up for the huge influx of Umrah performers during the holy month of Ramadan. Officials said all preparations are in place in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to welcome the guests of God in the fasting month. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Minister, have been continuously following up the preparations to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said the presidency had drawn up an integrated plan to receive the swelling number of Umrah performers round the clock throughout the holy month. He said more than 8000 female and male employees, including cleaning and maintenance staff, would be involved in the execution of this plan. Al-Sudais said arrangements have been made to secure enough number of wheelchairs for those who may need the service. Khaled Bin Muhammad Al-Haiej, acting Mayor of Makkah, said the mayoralty would deploy more than 8500 cleaners equipped with 676 pieces of machinery to clean the central area of the holy city round the clock. He said work on 12,500 new toilets would be completed before the month begins. In view of the extreme weather conditions, the mayoralty has also installed some 250 water sprinklers to cool the air in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque.
