MAKKAH — The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has upgraded facilities in the Grand Mosque by installing new equipment and carrying out essential maintenance. Faris Al-Saadi, operations director in the Grand Mosque, said six new plasma screens have been erected inside the mosque and its courtyards. “We will be broadcasting prayers and announcements in multiple languages. We have installed more speakers to cover all areas of the mosque, especially after its expansion. We also took steps to ensure that the neighboring hotels and facilities relayed the adhan (call for prayer) and the prayers,” said Al-Saadi. He added the directorate is constantly monitoring the performance of all the facilities and equipment and ensuring their regular maintenance. “We also took into consideration visitors with special needs by proving them with electronic wheel chairs and golf carts. Most signs and brochures are translated into braille to help the visually impaired,” said Al-Saadi. He said visitors of the Grand Mosque should follow the directorate's guidelines to ensure the safety and security of themselves and of others around them. “Visitors should avoid playing with electricity boxes and cables, they should not lodge their personal belongings behind the broadcasting screens and they should not get on the escalators with wheelchairs. Wheelchair users may take the elevators,” said Al-Saadi. He said the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is overseeing all projects and services of the two holy mosques. “I am the head of only one directorate under the general presidency. Each directorate from the directorate of security to the directorate of cleaning has its own developmental plan completed and implemented to serve the pilgrims and visitors of the Grand Mosque,” said Al-Saadi. He said the presidency revises its development plans on an annual basis, recording the improvements needed and the efficiency achieved.
