MAKKAH: The Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah take great care to meet the needs of pilgrims with disabilities, ensuring all pilgrims enjoy a memorable experience.
A dedicated team is on hand to guarantee pilgrims a smooth experience when performing religious rituals, with prayer rooms, doors, bridges and elevators adapted to accommodate their unique requirements.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque declared its commitment to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, from their arrival at the Grand Mosque courtyards to the completion of their religious duties.
Speaking to Arab News, authority representatives said they had prayer areas specifically designed for those with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities. These areas are managed by a team from the Grand Mosque's General Administration for Persons with Disabilities.
Specific prayer spaces have been allocated for worshippers in expansion areas at both mosques. These areas provide services to meet the health and security requirements of visitors. The administration ensures that ramps, stairs, elevators, slopes and specially equipped bridges meet their needs. Sign language is used at the Grand Mosque to help the hard of hearing.
Friday sermons are translated into sign language in the prayer areas, and there are Braille Qur’ans, flexible Qur’an holders and Zamzam water. Islamic books in Braille are also available. A volunteer healthcare team is on hand to attend to the needs of worshippers. There are golf carts in the Grand Mosque courtyards exclusively for individuals with disabilities, easing their movement from the courtyards to designated gates.
The authority also highlighted the preparation of 32 gates with ramps to ease entry and exit. Certain gates, including numbers 68, 74, 79, 84, 89, 90, 93, and 94, are exclusively for peoples with disabilities. Key bridges such as Ajyad Bridge, Shubaika Bridge and Marwah Bridge have been upgraded to provide suitable services.
Electric stairs, elevators, and bridges are clearly marked to aid movement, while restroom facilities are equipped to cater for those with disabilities.
Yahya Al-Harbi, a sign-language interpreter, ensures that the weekly Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah are accessible to the deaf and mute community.
Al-Harbi enjoys helping those with impaired hearing and meeting their needs within the religious setting. He translates Friday sermons and handles educational sessions and religious inquiries, particularly for those coming from abroad.
Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, a sign-language expert, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to support those with disabilities, particularly in the grounds of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Al-Ghamdi noted the presence of specialized professionals and trainers within the precincts of the Grand Mosque to assist visitors with disabilities at all times. These experts ensure that facilities such as gates, bridges, and transport services are available even at times of peak congestion.
He also identified the many volunteers who serve people with special needs, using sign language to ease their movements, meet their requirements, and address their religious and service-related inquiries.
The volunteers respond swiftly to pilgrims’ needs, ensuring their spiritual pilgrimage is an unforgettable experience.
