Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib, imam and Khatib at Khana Ka’aba, called on Muslims to fortify their faith in Almighty Allah as a means to wipe clean their hearts of hatred and hostility.
“Whoever tastes the sweetness of faith will never experience the thoughts of hatred, evil or hostility,” Al-Talib said in his sermon. Hundreds of thousands of faithful attended the congregational prayer at Khana Ka’aba.
The sheikh stressed the futility of a man depriving himself of food and water in Ramadan without accompanying it with plenty of good deeds, charity and repentance. “As the blessed month will pass quickly, believers should do good deeds to earn a place amid the blessed in the world and the hereafter,” Al-Talib said.
Under the aegis of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, steps have been taken to ensure security and comfort to pilgrims and worshippers in the mosque and surrounding areas.
The Presidency of the Affairs of Ka’aba has made provisions for the smooth entry and exit of worshippers with special arrangements for the disabled.
“Prayer carpets have been cleaned and polished, the mosque interior brilliantly lit, and all air-conditioners and fans put in full blast to keep the temperature under control,” a mosque official said. Jets of water being sprinkled in courtyards have lessened the impact of the heat.
“More than 1,000 trained first aid workers have been posted at 15 points inside the mosque and in the courtyards to provide emergency assistance to people. They also are geared to take special care of the old and infirm worshippers,” Director of Civil Defense in Makkah Brig. Jameel Arbaeen said.
Director of Traffic in Makkah Col. Mishaal Al-Maghrebi said necessary precautions were taken to avoid traffic snarls on roads close to the Khana Ka’aba and at entry points to the city on Friday.
“Five car parks have been opened for Umrah pilgrims from Jeddah, Leith, Al-Karr Al-Hada, Madinah and Sail at the entry points to the city. The pilgrims are bussed to the mosque from these car parks,” Al-Maghrebi said. Car parks have been set up at Al-Zahir, Qashlah, Rusaifah, Kudai, Gazzah and Mahbas Al-Jin for the visitors.
Cars and private buses are not permitted to enter the Central Zone 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after prayer time. Passengers need to take public transport buses that ply 24 hours a day to reach the mosque. The move cut traffic around the mosque considerably, the official said.
Director of Operations Muhammad Al-Jabri said that 14 electrical feeders are supplying power to the mosque. The supply is regulated by a computer system and ensures uninterrupted supply with the help of 645 workers. He put the number of fans at more than 6,000 while a number of cooling centers, connected to 110 air-cooling ducts, keep the mosque cool. Over 30,000 florescent lamps and 1,400 chandeliers keep the mosque’s interior illuminated. The department also supervises nine escalators, 14 lifts, Zamzam pumps, fire extinguishers and warning networks, he said.
