Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques have opened several main entrances and exits in the Grand Mosque for worshippers, in order to prevent crowding.

The entrances for the prayers area in ground floor are: 87,88,89,90,91; the entrances of the Ajyad Bridge and Salam are: 91; Salam entrance: 74, 84; Shubaika entrance for the prayers area in first floor and the roof.

The Director of worshippers' grouping management Khalaf Bin Najr Al-Otaibi said that if the newly opened entrances and exits were filled then worshippers will be directed to move to the prayers area in the third Saudi expansion, and the ones located in the courtyards.

He said the department follows up and prepares the prayers area for the worshippers, and coordinate with competent authorities to open the largest number of prayer areas, in coinciding with the great increase of worshipers number in during the holy month of Ramadan to perform the obligatory prayers and the Taraweeh with comfort and ease.

The department is also keen that worshipers not sit in the main and secondary walks leading to the Tawaf (circumambulation) and prayers area, to ensure smooth movement to the Grand Mosque' visitors.

Al-Otaibi confirmed the Presidency’s keenness to increase the services’ quality level provided for the visitors of the Grand Mosque by developing them in a way that achieves the aspiration of Saudi Arabia's leadership which aims to make pilgrims, worshipers, and visitors perform their rituals comfortably.