8 million faithful visit Grand Mosque in 10 days of Ramadan

Jeddah

Grand Mosque in Makkah witnessed 49 per cent hike in the number of visitors in the first 10 days of Ramadan compared to last year, marking the total visitors count at eight million, the Haj and Umrah Directorate said.  

Salah Saqr, director of the directorate, said the transport plan was approved and is being monitored by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Saqr said 38,000 vehicles were arranged for transporting visitors during the same period, which was 25 pc more than last year.

Eight stations have been set up for pedestrians and passengers, which facilitated the transportation process, a local publication quoted him as saying.

He said 4.7 million passengers were transported through Ajyad. About 8,632 through Bab Ali, 2,208 through Jabal Al-Kaaba, 4,874 through King Abdul Aziz Gate, 2,169 through Jaroul, 7,993 through Ajyad Al-Sad, 1.12 million through Shuaab Aamir and 148,410 through Riya Bakhsh.

Saqr said the Central Haj Committee, which is chaired by Prince Faisal, approved this year’s transportation plan.

The aim is to transport 25 million passengers to and from the Grand Mosque.