Portable Zamzam cans to be introduced at Grand Mosque

The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah launched a portable delivery service of Zamzam water in the Grand Mosque’s vicinity on Monday. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, chief imam of the Grand Mosque, formally inaugurated the delivery service, through which the water will be delivered inside portable cans. “Water will be delivered in portable cans to fasting pilgrims on Mondays and Thursdays and throughout the entire month of Ramadan this year,” Ahmed Al-Mansouri of the Presidency of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque Affairs told Arab News on Monday. The portable cans are designed to the highest hygienic standards to protect against infection and have the additional feature of carrying disposable cups. The General Presidency has also moved to provide counseling and guidance to pilgrims and visitors to Makkah and Madinah. The presidency is planning on displaying more literature in foreign languages and also conducting lectures for pilgrims. Abdulaziz Al-Bakht, director of guidance and counseling, supervises such matters inside the Grand Mosque. The presidency will distribute printed literature to pilgrims for performing rituals according to Islamic laws. It will also display Islamic rulings on various issues. The presidency has recruited 70 full-time employees and 21 temporary employees to work on a seasonal basis for this purpose. Guidance and counseling classes will be held daily after the five prayers. Pilgrims can avail of the Urdu translations of the lectures following midday prayers, said Al-Mansouri. Translation and counseling activities will be held in the south side of the Grand Mosque, also known as the “Junoob Almakbariya,” near King Fahd gate and gate 94. The General Presidency has also entered into an agreement with the Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah to train students to guide pilgrims, said Al-Mansouri.