MADINAH — Madinah welcomed on Friday evening the first groups of pilgrims arriving from Makkah after performing the Hajj rituals. They arrived via the Haramain High-Speed Train and buses and other vehicles along the Hijrah Road. The arrival of these pilgrims to Madinah was facilitated by a comprehensive system of field and organizational services provided by relevant authorities to ensure their smooth arrival and transportation to their accommodations mainly in the central Haram area. The relevant Hajj authorities and sectors in Madinah have raised their readiness to receive groups of pilgrims during the post-Hajj season. Field teams continue their work at temporary reception centers, in cooperation with security forces, to organize and direct the entry of buses and to receive air pilgrims through the Hijrah Center, in addition to receiving land pilgrims through the Land Pilgrims Reception Center, all within a round the clock operational system. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has completed preparations to receive the pilgrims. The operational plan focused on preparing the Prophet’s Mosque and all facilities to receive visitors and worshipers in a safe and well-equipped environment. Preparations included opening 141 gates in the men’s and women’s sections. Entry movement is also being organized through 100 pathways supervised by specialists in guidance and crowd organization.The authority stated that preparations included laying more than 25,000 carpets throughout the Prophet’s Mosque and its courtyards. Copies of the Holy Qur’an and translations of its meanings in several languages were also provided. The authority enhanced guidance and orientation services and prepared dedicated services for elderly visitors and persons with disabilities through wheelchair and electric-cart distribution points. It also operated 194 escalators and elevators to serve worshipers.Organizational services related to visits to the Rawdah Sharif also continue through regulating visitor entry according to approved schedules and capacity limits and using digital screens for guidance and awareness. The measures help facilitate visitor movement and enable the largest possible number of pilgrims to pray and convey greetings to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his two companions.
