A comprehensive plan has been drawn up to provide all facilities to the expected three million pilgrims this Haj. The new plan envisages fool-proof security, easy transportation, 24-hour water and hygiene to the worshippers in the Grand Mosque here, said Al-Sheikh Salih Bin Abd-ur-Rahman Al-Hussein, chief of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. The Presidency has distributed thousands of booklets in various languages to enlighten the pilgrims about the rituals of Haj. Several renowned scholars have been engaged to lecture after Fajr (Dawn) and Asr (afternoon) prayers till Isha (night) prayers. These lectures are being delivered in Arabic, Urdu, Malay, Indonesian and English languages to educate the pilgrims about various Haj rituals. A telecom system with over hundred telephones has also been set up to answer the pilgrims' queries about any Umrah or Haj ritual or any other matter of jurisprudence, said Al-Hussein. A labor force of 6,085 people consisting of a team of 1,756 regular staff along with 1,800 temporary staff and skilled labor of 2,500 workmen has been engaged to offer general, technical, cultural, educational services and guidance as and when required, said Al-Hussein. The 3,000-strong labor force is engaged in keeping the Grand Mosque clean. They have been provided with electric cleaners, and small auto vehicles to remove the garbage from inside the mosque. They look after the Zamzam water supply and fill and clean about 18,000 thermoses along with plastic glasses duly sterilized. They maintain all the hygienic standards. For Tawaf and Sa'y the Presidency has arranged 10,000 wheelchairs for the disabled pilgrims. These wheelchairs can be obtained from the earmarked places outside the mosque and on the first floor of As-Safa gate. These wheelchairs can be used only on the first floor where a gallery has been built to go round Ka'ba for Tawaf and Sa'y. The Kingdom has arranged a security force for watch and ward and look after the pickpockets. Cameras are also fitted on all the four floors to keep strict surveillance to ensure peace and security of the pilgrims. The Holy Mosque has 139 gates with a regular staff of 300 persons. But during the Haj season the number is increased to 700. Eight electronic escalators having two gates opposite to each other are working round the clock. A bridge constructed close to Ajyad Hospital connecting the escalator and the two gates has greatly eased the entry into the Holy Mosque. Each gate has an electronic board that gives a red light to stop further entry from that gate. This way the entry and exit is being monitored to avoid suffocation and overcrowding, said Al-Hussein. He said the Kingdom is striving to offer all the possible facilities to the pilgrims and is spending billions to achieve a peaceful Haj. – SG __
