Renovated Masaa to be ready in Ramadhan

Makkah, 2008 Aug 19, IQNA/Arab News
 
The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques is set to open the ground floor of the entire Masaa area (the area between mounts Safa and Marwah) this Ramadhan.

“The ground floor and the first phase of the first floor and second floor of the Masaa will be available for pilgrims in Ramadhan to undertake the ritual running,” Muhammad Al-Khozaim, vice president of the presidency, told Arab News yesterday.

Pilgrims are currently performing the ritual run at a limited space because of the expansion work, he said.

“The presidency started on Saturday implementing various plans that guarantee pilgrims a peaceful and comfortable environment inside the Grand Mosque and its courtyards,” Al-Khozaim added.

The presidency's plans involve guidance, culture, maintenance of utilities and coordination of various activities, he said.

The Guidance Department and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice have organized classes to teach visitors and pilgrims correct religious practices. They will also distribute books, copies of the holy Quran and pamphlets on various religious topics. The Women's Department and Tawafa Department will also participate in the distribution of books, he said.

As part of its cultural activities in Ramadhan, the presidency will help pilgrims and researchers visit the Haram library and invite them to an exhibition on the two holy mosques. Visitors would also be permitted to view preparation of Kiswa (the cloth covering the Kaaba) at the Kiswa factory.

The utility plans aim to simplify the supply of Zamzam water and wheelchairs, cleaning and spreading of carpets, and general cleaning and waste disposal.

The general administration for projects and studies and the department of maintenance and operations will undertake the maintenance of various equipment, lighting and sound systems, air-conditioning, cameras, communication system and operation of escalators.

The departments of finance and manpower will ensure the smooth flow of daily activities, remove functional difficulties and coordinate activities of various sections, he said.