MAKKAH — The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has received on Saturday the first batch of the pilgrims coming from outside Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during the Umrah season for this year 1444 AH. The Presidency received the pilgrims from abroad in the midst of an integrated system of services, as it has provided the finest services and prepared the entire Grand Mosque in Makkah and its courtyards for them to perform their rituals with ease and comfort. It is noteworthy that the General Administration for Crowd Control and Grouping, with the concerned authorities, had earlier prepared its services in accordance with the plans followed in organizing crowds, in order to receive the first group of pilgrims after the return of Umrah after the completion of the Hajj season in 2022. Osama Al-Hujaili, director of the General Administration for Crowd Control and Grouping, has stated that the Mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) in the Grand Mosque and the ground floor were designated for the pilgrims who are performing Umrah. While the first floor of the Mataf was allocated for the pilgrims who are not performing Umrah. He added that the King Fahd Extension, the King Abdullah Expansion, the first floor of the Mataf, and the outer courtyards were allocated for worshipers. A specific main doors have also been designated for the pilgrims to enter, Al-Hujaili said, noting that they are King Fahd Gate, Al-Salam Gate, and Ajyad Gate, in addition to others for exit through which it contribute to ensuring the smooth movement of the crowds of pilgrims while performing the Umrah rituals.
