In The Last 10 Days Of Ramadan, Saudi Arabian Authorities Implement A Number Of Provisions In Mecca And Medina For Congregants

The Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Wikimedia Commons/Saudipics com)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs of Saudi Arabia has issued a number of provisions and safety guidelines for pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, as this year's Ramadan enters its last ten days.

This includes several instructions announced at the start of Ramadan, reported by Saudi Arabia's state news agency, to ease the implementation of prayers, reported by The National News on April 11.

It is known, the last ten days of Ramadan 1444 Hijri this time started on Monday.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has maximized preparations and increased efforts for security, health, emergencies, and volunteerism, to provide services that make it easier for congregations to carry out their worship during the holy month.

Pilgrims can take public buses from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, or buses from the car park in Makkah to reach the Grand Mosque.

In addition, pilgrims can also use taxis, as well as trains from Haramain station from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Al-Raseefa station in Mecca.

Pilgrims can also walk if they live in the central area or are close to the Grand Mosque, or can use private cars that must be driven by non-Umrah pilgrims.

Meanwhile, non-Umrah pilgrims are allowed to park their cars in the parking lot located at the start of Mecca, and pilgrims can use public transportation to reach the Grand Mosque.

The General Car Syndicate also provides a free public transportation service at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to transport Umrah pilgrims to Makkah.

Inside the Grand Mosque, worshipers must comply with the directions given by the security forces.

The green light at the main gate means that pilgrims can enter from that gate because there is room for the congregation to pray. However, a red light means no entry as all sites are full.

Collecting donations is prohibited in the Grand Mosque, the ministry said, adding that worshipers are not allowed to smoke, beg or engage in commercial activities, such as buying or selling.

Weather-related, heavy rains, sandstorms, and snowfall are expected in Saudi Arabia from Sunday until the end of the holy month, according to the National Meteorological Center (NCM).

In its daily weather report, the NCM predicts moderate to severe thunderstorms over most of the area through Thursday.

The official spokesperson for the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Hani bin Hosni Haider, said that around 5,000 vehicles and 3,000 electric vehicles have been provided to transport worshipers from the parking lot to the place of prayer, which can be ordered in advance through the application.

"Artificial intelligence technology is used to carry out disinfection operations at the Grand Mosque, with 11 robots providing sterilization services for up to eight hours, through programmed maps to sterilize the Grand Mosque and 20 high-speed Biocare for sterilization tasks," added Haidar.