Law enforcement agencies are preparing for a high state of alert in the Grand Mosque before Ramadan.
In a unique and long-awaited season that extends for 30 days, Makkah hosts the largest human gathering on the planet. The police are ready to implement plans to manage the crowds in the Grand Mosque and its outer areas.
The Grand Mosque is guarded by 180,000 members of the security forces. They are divided among the Haj and Umrah forces as well as the Grand Mosque’s police, Makkah police and the security of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques.
The security forces use a technical system on computer screens that are placed at entrances and on routes that lead to the Grand Mosque. The forces monitor movements on entrances and internal paths as well as the roof of the mosque through a network of more than 750 cameras.
Throughout Ramadan, the Grand Mosque witnesses heavy traffic from the late afternoon prayer until after the Taraweeh prayer in addition to the large number of worshippers on Fridays.
Security plans for the Grand Mosque are based on breaking up crowds and directing them to empty spaces as well as organizing exit and entry after prayers, monitoring the movement of potential thieves and beggars and preventing motorcycles and bicycles from entering the areas around the Grand Mosque.
The special forces of the Grand Mosque participate in the plan, especially during the removal of the temporary mataf by organizing the movement of the crowd according to available areas next to the Kaaba, and controlling exits and entries to prevent overcrowding.
According to Grand Mosque police force chief, Maj. Gen. Mohammad bin Wasal Al-Ahmadi, the number of policemen has been increased at entrances to stop overcrowding near the Holy Kaaba. “We have increased vigilance of all key locations in order to maintain the safety of pilgrims,” he said.(Arab News)
Link: http://www.arabnews.com/news/strong-security-worshippers-ramadan
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