Big family carts eyed for sick and elderly pilgrims

MAKKAH — The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is currently considering the introduction of family carts in the Grand Mosque for use by pilgrims to perform the Saie (the ritual walk between the mounts of Safa and Marwa). The spacious carts can hold six people at a time and help the members of a family stay together while performing the ritual. According to Makkah daily, Mashhour Al-Moniemi, assistant undersecretary for services in the presidency, met with a representative of the manufacturing company on Tuesday and discussed with him various issues related to the project. According to Moniemi, the cart will accommodate six people instead of one or two and can be easily operated. He said the move will reduce the number of various types of carts and wheel chairs being used by pilgrims to perform the Saie. The presidency has recently introduced advanced electric carts for the elderly and people with special needs to use during Saie. The Grand Mosque has been supplied with about 50 electric carts, which will enter into service during Ramadan. The carts for two persons can be rented for SR100 while those for single users will cost SR50. Meanwhile, secretary general of the Authority for the Development of Makkah and the Holy Sites Hisham Al-Faleh said the expansion of the roads No. 204 and 206 in Mina leading to Jamarat will be completed in the first week of July. He said the width of each road will be about 14 meters, which is spacious enough to prevent any crowding or possible stampedes. He said the two roads will directly lead to the Jamarat without being intersected by any other road.