JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has allocated 25 new paths at the Mataf courtyard in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, including four for the elderly and people with disabilities.
The upgrade comes as part of plans to manage crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities will also apply all preventive and precautionary health measures to stop the spread of the airborne disease on the new paths of the courtyard.
Nizar Alaa El-Din, assistant undersecretary general of the presidency for grouping affairs and crowd management, said that the presidency manages groups of pilgrims “based on many factors and objectives,” and used its lengthy experience to coordinate with other parties and achieve effective communication with all groups working in the Grand Mosque.
He added that the presidency has benefited from numerous studies and mechanisms that have helped to build smooth and organized entries and exits at the holy site.
El-Din said that by organizing Hajj and Umrah each year, Saudi Arabia has “achieved global renown for its standards in transporting, protecting and managing crowds.”
The presidency also announced it has allocated 17 entrances to receive worshipers and pilgrims, and more than 100 guards have been employed in designated places.
Fahd Al-Maliki, the director of the Gates Department at the Grand Mosque, said that the doors are equipped with light signals and guiding panels directing people to vacant places inside the mosque.
Meanwhile, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque said it is doubling its field work to provide the best services to visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during these blessed 9th, 10th and 11th days of the Muslim month of Muharram, which will end on Friday.
The services include providing Zamzam water to the masses of worshipers and those who are fasting in the Prophet’s Mosque.
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mosque courtyard gets 25 new paths, 4 for elderly and disabled
https://arab.news/jwca3
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mosque courtyard gets 25 new paths, 4 for elderly and disabled
- The Grand Mosque allocates 17 entrances to receive worshipers and pilgrims
- The Prophet’s Mosque redoubles its efforts to serve worshipers and visitors
Saudi volunteers pack aid as KSrelief steps up help for Gaza
- Packages include rice, oil, canned goods, dairy products, shelter kits, and will be delivered through Rafah crossing
- Reported death toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has surpassed 70,000, with more than 171,000 people injured
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has been preparing food baskets and shelter kits to help Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Shalhoub bin Abdullah Al-Shalhoub, KSrelief’s director of media and public relations, called the initiative a “community-driven effort.”
Al-Shalhoub added: "There has been a popular campaign to support the Palestinian people, and this has given us the opportunity to launch the initiative to allow volunteers to help prepare the food baskets.”
Each food basket contains 7 kg of basmati rice, two bags of halva, 10 cans of tuna, 16 cans of fava beans, two large bottles of cooking oil, 1 kg of salt, 3 kg of sugar, 15 cans of evaporated milk, 1 kg of peanut butter, and a stock of cheese.
Al-Shalhoub told Arab News: “As you can see behind me, it is a beautiful sight. Seeing these young men and women here fills us with pride. You can truly sense their enthusiasm and commitment to this humanitarian work.”
KSrelief opened its volunteer portal three days ago to register participants for preparing food baskets at the agency’s warehouse. More than 80,000 people have already registered, according to Al-Shalhoub.
Anyone can sign up, choose a campaign or specialization, and volunteer.
Al-Shalhoub said: “We say to the Saudi people: You are naturally inclined toward goodness and charitable work. What we see today is one of the most inspiring humanitarian scenes embodied in this image behind me.”
The food basket and shelter kit initiative follows others led by KSrelief since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
Al-Shalhoub said that 80 aircraft, eight ships, and 20 ambulances had been deployed to the Gaza Strip to help the situation there.
This support is continuing across three main sectors: food security, health and medical assistance, and Ramadan programs and seasonal campaigns.
Al-Shalhoub said: “During this period (Ramadan), we are also collecting donations as part of the Palestine Campaign, which has received a high level of contributions.”
All aid will enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. Israel reopened Gaza’s Rafah border with Egypt in early February — the only exit point for Palestinians not controlled by Israel — to limited traffic after nearly two years of closure.
The World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Children’s Fund, and the World Food Programme reported in August 2025 that half a million people in Gaza were trapped in famine, and called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and “unhindered” humanitarian access.
International pressure is today focused on increasing daily truck capacity and restoring fuel access. Aid continues but remains inconsistent due to numerous missions being denied or impeded by Israeli authorities.
The reported death toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has surpassed 70,000, with more than 171,000 people injured, according to recent reports.
The World Peace Foundation reported in August 2025 that deaths from starvation and health-related causes had “without doubt” exceeded 10,000.
Those interested in volunteering for the Palestine Campaign can register through KSrelief’s Saudi international volunteer portal: volunteer.ksrelief.org/en.
