Makkah: Worshippers at the Grand Mosque performed the Isha and Taraweeh prayers on the night of the 27th of Ramadan, seeking Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Destiny), in a deeply spiritual atmosphere marked by tranquility and serenity, amid an integrated system of services provided for pilgrims and visitors.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the steady flow of Umrah performers and worshippers to the Grand Mosque and its courtyards began from the early morning hours. Corridors, floors, rooftops, courtyards, basements, and the Third Saudi Expansion were filled with visitors, reflecting the greatness of the place and the sanctity of the time. With the leadership's care for the comfort of pilgrims, individuals performing Umrah and other worshipers could pray in a secure and reassuring atmosphere.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque prepared various levels of the Grand Mosque to receive worshippers, organizing those performing Tawaf (circumambulation) to ensure a smooth flow inside the mosque. Copies of the holy Quran in multiple languages were available for recitation, with intensified cleaning operations and monitoring of loudspeakers, ventilation fans, and air-conditioning systems.
The authority also provided electric and manual wheelchairs, alongside golf carts available through the 'Tanaqol' application, operated and supervised by specialists. It regulated cart pushers' duties, deployed supervisors at mosque gates to welcome worshippers, directed them to designated prayer areas, and organized entry and exit movements.
Multilingual electronic screens provided spatial guidance for visitors, assisting relevant authorities in directing worshippers to alternative prayer areas when designated sites were full. Operational plans for purification inside the mosque were implemented, with efforts intensified to organize courtyards and passageways. Qualified teams worked around the clock to ensure smooth movement and prepare the worship atmosphere.
Specialists oversaw daily cleaning operations, prepared entrances and passageways, regulated escalator entry, and coordinated with operations rooms to direct worshippers to upper levels and pilgrims to the circumambulation area. Ongoing efforts included monitoring safety equipment readiness, fire-fighting systems, alarm devices, and ensuring pedestrian route safety and emergency plans for potential weather fluctuations.
The authority prepared a comprehensive system of escalators, elevators, and modern audio systems, alongside an advanced cooling network for a suitable environment inside the Grand Mosque. Services included free luggage storage, designated prayer areas for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and a childcare center operating around the clock for visitors.
Dedicated carts were provided to assist men and women exiting the state of ihram, with intensified supervision to prevent luggage, food, and prohibited items' entry into the Grand Mosque, maintaining its cleanliness and enabling comfortable worship. Zamzam water dispensers were placed throughout the mosque to meet worshippers' needs.
Meanwhile, the Health Affairs Department in Makkah expanded its medical services through clinics across the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, providing necessary care for visitors. The Holy Makkah Municipality continued its efforts in general cleaning, waste collection, and pest control around the clock, supporting a healthy and safe environment for Grand Mosque visitors.