Ahmad Al-Hosni

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — Safety measures have been beefed up in and around the Grand Mosque for Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday night, security sources said.



Huge crowds of worshipers are expected in Makkah on the 29th night of Ramadan to attend the Khatmul Qur’an prayers when the imam completes reciting the holy book at Taraweeh prayers.



Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khelaiwi, head of the Umrah security forces, said a thoroughly planned crowd management plan will be put into effect. He added that it will be the last major security plan enacted in the Grand Mosque this Ramadan.



Col. Mohamed Al-Esaimi, head of Makkah’s special security forces, said 6,000 personnel will participate in crowd management alone.



He revealed that the plan has two phases. The first phase will take place during Taraweeh prayers (immediately after Isha), and the second phase will take place during the Tahajjud prayers (the late night prayer that starts at 1 a.m.).

The deputy commander of the Hajj and Umrah security forces, Brig. Gen. Maeed Al-Joaid, said his forces are responsible for channeling the crowds from the Bilal Gate at the southern extremity of the mosque complex, and until the northern and eastern courtyards.



Al-Joaid added that more than 4,000 personnel, including over 60 senior officers, will work on organizing worshipers in the northern and eastern courtyards.



Director of Makkah Police Maj. Gen. Assaf Al-Qureshi said a plan is in place for bus transport in the eastern courtyard of the mosque. He explained that there will be three lanes for passengers seeking to board busses: one for men, one for women and another for special needs passengers.



Maj. Gen. Jameel Arbaeen, director of Civil Defense in Makkah region, said the security plan includes the deployment of a number of mobile and static security units on all roads leading to Makkah. He added that the plan includes patrols that monitor safety in residential units, shopping areas and tunnel systems.



Maj. Gen. Arbaeen said two Civil Defense teams will be stationed on the new Tawaf Bridge to assist worshipers with special needs. Paramedic teams have upped their presence as well, Arbaeen said, in anticipation of any medical emergencies.



The director general of Makkah traffic police, Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Al-Muqbil, revealed that no vehicles, aside from public transportation, will be allowed into the central area of the city Tuesday night. He called on all drivers to park their vehicles in designated car parks and use public transportation. The traffic police are supported this year by 4,000 officers, Al-Muqbil stated.



Col. Saeed Al-Qarni, director of security patrols in Makkah, said the patrols have mobilized 300 security teams in Makkah.  All of Makkah’s districts are being thoroughly patrolled, Al-Qarni stated.



The director of the Grand Mosque gates, Abdullah Al-Tomaih, said all gates leading to the mosque’s roof and basement will be opened. Over 900 employees will be tasked with operating the gates.



Signs on the gates will light green if there is still space within the praying areas. Once they turn red, the gate officials are to stop admitting people in. Some gates have been dedicated to special needs worshipers, Al-Tomaih said.