Saudi Arabia Improves Facilities at Namirah Mosque Ahead of Arafah Wukuf

Pilgrims crowd the Namirah Mosque. (Wikimedia Commons/Fadi El Binni/Al Jazeera English)

JAKARTA - The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs has increased the readiness of the Namirah Mosque to receive pilgrims on the Day of Arafah, the day when the peak of the Hajj is marked by Wukuf, on Tuesday, as part of integrated operational, technical and awareness services to ensure a comfortable environment for pilgrims.

The mosque has been equipped with high-quality carpets covering an area of 125,000 square meters, as part of a comprehensive plan to prepare it for the large number of pilgrims.

The Namirah Mosque has undergone an extensive development project over the past seven years to improve its operational and technical efficiency, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), as reported by Arab News (25/5).

These projects include the improvement of air conditioning, ventilation, infrastructure to electrical and audio systems, as well as the implementation of heat mitigation measures, courtyard cooling projects and expansion of water supply services, strengthening the capacity of mosques to accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Among the most notable projects are cooling the backyard through the installation of 19 canopies - which help reduce the temperature by 10°C - and a floor coating that reflects sunlight.

Preparations inside the Namirah Mosque, Arafah. (Source: SPA)

The surrounding pages have also been cooled using 117 fog fans driven by high-pressure pumps, helping to reduce the temperature by 9°C.

The central control system has been upgraded to monitor carbon dioxide levels to ensure the air inside the mosque is fully refreshed twice in an hour.

Water pump efficiency has also been improved. In addition, 70 water coolers have been installed.

The comprehensive renovation work includes expansion joint repairs, floor updates and painting, LED lighting installation, and improvements to electrical panels and rainwater drainage systems.

The Namirah Mosque has also been equipped with a sophisticated sound system and surveillance cameras, while its 72 entrances have been assessed to ensure smooth movement. This involves continuous, around-the-clock, surveillance by a maintenance and monitoring team.

The ministry also plans to operate 150 digital screens to broadcast sermons inside mosques, as well as provide 10 video call platforms to answer religious questions in various languages.

Islamic counseling stands have also been activated near the Namirah Mosque and Mount Arafah, along with a toll-free telephone service to answer questions through awareness centers in Mecca, with speakers available around the clock.

To further strengthen this effort, advisory materials have been distributed through the stands, with 200 speakers and 50 interpreters assigned to serve pilgrims. In addition, dakwah activities have been carried out in pilgrim camps near Mount Arafah by 300 speakers.

These initiatives are part of the ministry's strategic plan to improve the readiness of mosques in holy places and provide high-quality services to the Hajj pilgrims, so that they can carry out their worship easily.