Haram quiet again as ninety percent of Umrah pilgrims leave

JEDDAH: Some 90 percent of Umrah pilgrims have left Makkah. As a result, quiet atmosphere prevails over the central area of the Grand Mosque, which witnessed worshippers in increased numbers performing the daily prayers. Hatem bin Hassan Al-Qadi of the Ministry of Haj said the number of pilgrims who left the Kingdom reached 5,384,943, with only 331,026 left in the Kingdom. Al-Qadi said the final date for Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom is July 31. Individual groups are supposed to leave by Aug. 15. He pointed out that there is an electronic program that enables the ministry to ensure that each pilgrim has left the country. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said: “The expansion of the Grand Mosque and its yards had a great effect in increasing the number of worshippers who performed their prayers in serene surroundings.” Brig. Gen. Mohammad bin Wasl Al-Ahmadi, commander of the Grand Mosque Security Forces, said worshipers and Umrah pilgrims performed prayers in an organized manner, thanks to the comprehensive services provided by the state. Relevant government authorities deployed their efforts, energies and mechanisms to offer the best services for worshippers and visitors to the Grand Mosque. He pointed out that all security plans for Ramadan were successful. They helped visitors enjoy the atmosphere of faith and spiritualism. He said security forces went back to their normal routine in maintaining security and facilitating matters for worshipers and visitors. Traffic in streets leading to the Grand Mosque was smooth and a number of security patrols as well as field officers were deployed to maintain traffic during prayers. -arabnews