MAKKAH — Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Sunday launched the campaign titled “Serving pilgrims and visitors: A medal of pride for us” being organized by the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the presidency's chairman, said the third annual campaign is aimed at providing excellent services to pilgrims so as to enable them perform their Haj rituals in ease, peace and comfort.
The campaign highlights the various services being provided by the presidency in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.
Sudais said all the presidency's staff are proud to be in the service of the Guests of Allah and are also honored to deal with them with humility.
The Emir also reviewed the presidency's five-pronged Haj plan which consists of guidance, services, operation and maintenance, technology and the media.
Meanwhile, all the rugs in the Grand Mosque have been removed to facilitate easier movement of pilgrims.
Maher Al-Zahrani, director of the presidency's department of furniture and cleanliness, said more than 2,700 workers will be cleaning the Grand Mosque 24/7 using more than 2,500 cleaning equipment.
He said an average of 143 tons of garbage is removed from the Grand Mosque and its plazas every Haj season.
Zahrani asked the pilgrims to help keep the Grand Mosque clean and said more than 1,500 small garbage bins and more than 1,000 large containers have been placed in various parts of the mosque for the convenience of the pilgrims.
He asked the pilgrims not to bring in food or drinks and not to litter the Haram area. He also urged them not to use the Zamzam water taps in the Haram for ablution.
“The water may spill over and endanger the safety of the pilgrims,” he said.
