JEDDAH: The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will today start implementing its plan for this year’s Haj season, aimed at enabling the guests of God to perform their rituals in peace.

The strategy will remain in place until the end of the pilgrimage season, Dul Hijjah 30 (Dec. 6), Deputy President of the Presidency Muhammad ibn Nasser Al-Khuzaim announced Friday.

“The plan is aimed at ensuring an ideal atmosphere for worship inside the Two Holy Mosques and their surrounding plazas and courtyards,” he told Arab News, adding that under the plan, pilgrims will be guided on how to perform the Haj rites correctly.

Al-Khuzaim said the presidency is keen to provide all necessary services and prepare all facilities to be used by the pilgrims.

He said over 5,700 people including official staff, temporary employees and seasonal workers will carry out the plan and added that the number of preachers has also been increased this year.

According to Al-Khuzaim, the President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will hand over the new Kaaba kiswa (dress) to the chief guardian of the Grand Mosque on the first day of Dul Hijjah and said all carpets inside the Grand Mosque will be rolled out to avoid impeding the movement of pilgrims and prevent the spread of any contagious diseases.

He said the blessed Zamzam water would be distributed among Hajis at their accommodation, but urged pilgrims not to take it inside the mosque to avoid spillages on the floor and making it slippery.

Al-Khuzaim said there were 43 locations with 340 taps spread across the ground, first, second and top levels of the Masaa where pilgrims can drink Zamzam water. He said these facilities are not be used for ablution.

He added that four Zamzam water points with 110 fountains were established around the Tawaf area.

Al-Khuzaim said the Masaa has been expanded and all its floors, including the underground, ground, first, second and roof levels, have been made ready for pilgrims.

He said the passages for pilgrims and wheelchairs have been greatly expanded to allow easy movement and said 74 marble lockers have been placed on the ground floor for the storage of shoes.

The deputy president said amplifiers were placed in the courtyards and plazas of the two mosques so that worshippers could easily listen out for prayer calls and added that seven temporary bridges and mobile stairs have been installed to facilitate the easy movement of worshippers.

Al-Khuzaim said 62 bathrooms have been set up near the eastern Al-Fath door with 100 taps for ablution.

Source: Arab News