Middle East Other States Improved Crowd Control at Haram | Improved Crowd Control at Haram |
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| Sunday, 16 September 2007 | ||||||
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A policeman monitors pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. MAKKAH, — Security forces in the holy city of Makkah are being assisted by the Crowd Management Department, a wing of the Public Security and Development Administration, to manage the huge influx of pilgrims and worshippers to the Grand Mosque during Ramadan. Crowds are expected to peak particularly in the last 10 days of the month. “Security plans for the blessed month consist mainly of the protection of worshippers by regulating the flow of pilgrims at the Mataf (the area for circumambulation around the Kaaba), at entrances, exits, passages, pedestrian pathways, and between Safa and Marwa,” Commander of the Makkah Haram Security Forces Maj. Gen. Yousuf Matar told Arab News yesterday. The security measures are being implemented in a way that is consistent with the devotional atmosphere of the prayer complex and conducive to worship in a serene manner. Gen. Matar added that their security arrangements would be strengthened over the last 10 days of the holy month in view of the expected increase in the number of pilgrims from inside the country and abroad. Several agencies, such as the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque Affairs and the Special Emergency Forces of Makkah, will also join efforts to maintain security at the Grand Mosque in the last 10 days of Ramadan. An extremely difficult problem faced by his forces includes the return of lost children to their families. “The increasing number of lost children poses a very serious problem. It is not an easy task to locate parents. This is particularly the case with young children who speak unfamiliar foreign languages,” Matar said. He urged parents to take good care of their children. “They should not be allowed to play around and disturb worshippers,” he said, adding that parents should tie identification bracelets on their children’s wrists together with telephone numbers so that parents could be traced quickly. The official pointed out that the expansion works at the Haram premises would ease the movement of pilgrims. While the expanded “Masaa” (the area of ritual running) between Safa and Marwa will reduce the rush for Sa’ie, the bridge connecting the Ruwaq and the Ajyad escalators would enable worshippers to enter the first floor directly without crossing the ground floor, he said.
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