RIYADH: Nearly two million people have so far passed through the miqats of Makkah — the points past which all must enter the state of ritual cleanliness or ihram — during Ramadan this year.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites said the total number of visitors so far had reached 1,855,775. CEO Saleh Al-Rasheed told the Saudi Press Agency the commission was ready to handle the month’s increased turnout, with field teams working to ensure smooth movement and stability.
The Al-Taneem Mosque received 372,110 visitors, while the number at Miqat Yalmalam reached 392,042, Miqat Al-Jahfa 201,005, Miqat Al-Sail Al-Kabir 554,813, Miqat Wadi Muharram 185,516, and Al-Ja’rana Mosque received 150,289 visitors.
Worshippers passing these sites must have taken care of their personal hygiene and are forbidden from wearing tailored clothing. Instead, men will wear the izar, which consists of two pieces of white cloth covering the lower body and shoulders, while women are required to wear modest clothing with a head covering.
Employees from the royal commission conducted 3,513 inspection tours with no security incidents recorded, reflecting the stability of operations at the sites.
There are a total of 800 people working at the various locations, distributed across the various miqats and mosques, who support the smooth delivery of services to visitors.
The influx of pilgrims comes as the last 10 days of Ramadan approach, typically a peak season for worshippers performing umrah.
