Over 50,000 security officers from various agencies and from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Mayoralty and other government bodies have been deployed to ensure safety and security for up to 1.5 million visitors and pilgrims to the holy city during Ramadan. The integrated plans drawn up by the authorities are meant to provide the highest standard of services to Umrah pilgrims so that they can perform their rituals in ease and comfort. The majority of these pilgrims use the holy month to devote themselves to worshipping and supplicating to Allah. It is the month when the doors of the heavens open and Satan is chained. Dr. Muhammad Al-Khezaim, Deputy President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the presidency's plan aims to ensure that pilgrims can have an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort during their devotions to Allah. The plan is also meant to educate and enlighten them about the affairs of their religion. Five-point plan He said the plan covers five points. The first point includes informing visitors about genuine Islamic principles. Lessons are always held in sessions led by scholars who speak in different languages of the pilgrims. Various publications to guide pilgrims are also distributed in a number of languages. These publications address people in simple, clear language. The second point is to ensure pilgrims are informed about securing Zamzam water, where they can find versions of the Holy Qur'an in English and other languages and where to get wheelchairs for the disabled. The third point refers to the carpeting of all the yards inside and outside the Holy Haram. The fourth is to guard all the gates to ensure that pilgrims, worshippers and visitors only take a limited amount of coffee and dates into the Grand Mosque. The last and fifth point is to preserve round-the-clock cleanliness of the Holy Haram. Al-Khezaim said the presidency has assigned 5,702 employees, both men and women, to carry out its plan. In addition, there are hundreds of field supervisors tasked with different jobs, mainly to report any deficiency or shortcoming in any service and how to overcome it speedily. Mayoralty's plan Dr. Osama Bin Fadl Al-Bar, Mayor of Makkah, said the mayoralty has started carrying out an integrated plan which defines the tasks of the mayoralty's various agencies and administrations during Ramadan. He said several teams have been formed to supervise the implementation of the plan. One of the major characteristics of the plan is that it focuses on crowded and congested areas. He said the mayoralty has assigned 8,500 cleaners with 810 cleaning machines and equipment for clean-up operations. There are also seven temporary stations for the collection of waste and garbage to keep the holy city clean around the clock. He said the mayoralty has given special attention to slaughterhouses. Hundreds of veterinarians have been assigned to examine all the animals which will be slaughtered to ensure that they are free from disease and fit for human consumption. This is because the demand increases for meat in Ramadan. Apart from this, several field inspectors are tasked with tightening control over all the food facilities in the holy city to ensure that they abide by health standards and serve healthy food. Health Services The Ministry of Health provides integrated health services to Umrah pilgrims and visitors. Dr. Khaled Dhafr, Director of the Health in Makkah, said the directorate has health centers within the Holy Haram to provide services to visitors and Umrah performers. He said there are five health centers on the second floor of the Holy Haram which provides medical services all day. The centers are located on lower Bab Ajyad, the upper Bab Ajyad, Gate 94 in the new expansion, Gate 64 at King Fahd Expansion and Bab Al-Nadwa. These centers provide first aid and emergency services in addition to 29 permanent health centers in different parts of the holy city. Curbing traffic jams Effective Wednesday, the Traffic Administration in Makkah has banned the entry of pilgrims' cars into Makkah. It has allocated parking lots outside Makkah for these cars. This measure is to prevent traffic jams. It has also intensified 24/7 traffic patrols at all public squares. Meanwhile, the Civil Defense Administration in Makkah has begun executing its own plan by deploying its personnel and firefighting machinery and rescue teams all over strategic areas of the city.
