Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — The Ministry of Haj's report on the number of pilgrims on Friday revealed there was a total of 4.8 million pilgrims in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and in the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Al-Watan daily reported. The last 10 days of Ramadan are usually the most crowded in the Two Holy Mosques. “It is when most pilgrims perform Itikaf (an Islamic practice to retreat for a number of days in a mosque in order to focus on supplication away from the distractions of daily life) in the Two Holy Mosques. Pertinent directorates and authorities are prepared for the intensified last few days of Ramadan,” said the source. The source also added the ministry had announced on Friday that the total number of pilgrims who visited the Two Holy Mosques this month reached 5.6 million. “The ministry issued 5.9 million visas this Ramadan. The ministry also predicted the number of pilgrims will increase in the next few days,” said the source. The source also added the Madinah Haj Directorate and the Madinah Police Department have raised the security alert during the final 10 days of Ramadan. “The police and the directorate increased the frequency of their field tours to ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable. The directorate is also regulating the entrance and exit of the Prophet's Mosque round-the-clock,” said the source. The source added the directorate has several information desks around the Prophet's Mosque. “Lost visitors can inquire about their hotel location, tourists sites in Madinah and other information. The desks also assist the elderly and handicapped and welcome complaints and suggestions,” said the source. The source also said the directorate is also responsible for regulating the arrival and departure flights for pilgrims coming from Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport. “The directorate makes sure all flights arrive and depart on time. It also makes sure pilgrimage services companies and campaign are meeting the deadline of sending the pilgrims back to their native countries,” said the source. The source also added the directorate follows up with injured and deceased pilgrims. “The directorate follows up with the medical file of all injured pilgrims or pilgrims who had to go to the hospital for whatever health reasons. The directorate also follows through the procedure of contacting the families of deceased pilgrims to ensure they are buried where their families want them to be,” said the source.
