500 Civilian Security Personnel at Grand Mosque Ensure Smooth Hajj Services, Crowd Management 

Muslim pilgrims shade themselves with umbrellas as they walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on June 4, 2024 ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims shade themselves with umbrellas as they walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on June 4, 2024 ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
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500 Civilian Security Personnel at Grand Mosque Ensure Smooth Hajj Services, Crowd Management 

Muslim pilgrims shade themselves with umbrellas as they walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on June 4, 2024 ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims shade themselves with umbrellas as they walk outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on June 4, 2024 ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, represented by the Agency for Security, Safety, Emergency Response, and Risk Management, is committed to providing superlative services to ensure visitors' safety at the Grand Mosque.

It has deployed around 500 trained civilian security personnel to assist in crowd organization and management throughout the Grand Mosque, in collaboration with relevant authorities, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The authority also carries out various tasks through qualified and trained national teams to monitor security and safety operations, protect property and individuals, and oversee public facility systems.

This includes early detection of all risks, effectiveness of firefighting systems, regular maintenance of fire extinguisher boxes and alarm devices in the Grand Mosque, ensuring pedestrian safety, removing any obstacles hindering pilgrims' movement during their rituals, implementing weather fluctuation plans, and preparing entrances and passages of the Grand Mosque.

The authority also provided at least 15 security monitors who speak six different foreign languages -- Sinhalese, Urdu, Hausa, Persian, English, and Turkish -- to facilitate and overcome obstacles for the visitors of the Grand Mosque and help them perform their rituals smoothly.



Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Pakistani, Indian, and Uzbek Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Pakistani, Indian, and Uzbek Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - Asharq Al-Awsat

In a series of high-level diplomatic meetings, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, held telephone conversations on Friday with senior officials from Pakistan, India, and Uzbekistan, focusing on bilateral relations and regional developments.
Prince Faisal spoke with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, to review the strong ties between the Kingdom and Pakistan. The two officials discussed the regional situation and emphasized ongoing efforts to ease tensions and promote stability.
Prince Faisal held a telephone call with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The discussion also centered on regional issues and de-escalation strategies, as well as exploring ways to further strengthen Saudi-Indian relations.
Additionally, Prince Faisal received a phone call from Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov. The two ministers discussed matters of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cooperation across various fields.