Eight million worshippers visit Makkah in first 10 days of Ramadan

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Wednesday 01 Jul 2015 - 02:04 Makkah mean time-14-9-1436 Makkah(IINA) - Some eight million worshippers visited the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the first 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Haj and Umrah Public Administration in the governorate of Makkah region. This shows an increase of 49 percent from last year, said Director of the Haj and Umrah Public Administration in Makkah Dr. Salah Saqr. More than eight million passengers were transported during the first 10 days of Ramadan, said Dr. Saqr, adding that the transportation plan was closely monitored by Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. More than 38,000 vehicles transported visitors to the Grand Mosque, registering an increase of 25 percent from last year during the same period. The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has upgraded facilities in the Grand Mosque. Six new plasma screens have been installed inside the mosque and its courtyards for broadcasting prayers and announcements in multiple languages. More speakers have been installed to cover all areas of the mosque, and neighboring hotels and facilities have been told to relay the adhan (call for prayer) and the prayers. Provision has been made for an ample supply of electronic wheel chairs and golf carts for visitors with special needs. Earlier this month, Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched four-wheel electric scooters, specially designed for the elderly and physically challenged pilgrims and worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These scooters, weighing 250 kg, have been approved by the Saudi Standards, Quality and Metrology Organization and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.  HA/IINA