Saudi authorities furnish Namirah Mosque with 125,000 sq. m of carpets to serve Hajj pilgrims
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have furnished the Namirah Mosque near Mount Arafat, an essential holy site for Muslim pilgrims during Hajj, with thousands of square meters of carpets.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced on Wednesday that Namirah Mosque has been fully prepared and upgraded to receive pilgrims, of whom 1.25 million embarked on Wednesday on pilgrimage.
The mosque was furnished with 125,000 sq. m of luxurious carpets to provide comfort for Hajj pilgrims, while its backyard was equipped with 19 canopies capable of reducing heat by an average of 10 degrees Celsius.
Reflective paint was applied to the floor, and 117 fog fans were installed in the surrounding courtyards to reduce temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius, the ministry added.
Namirah Mosque is ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on the Day of Arafat, which begins on the evening of June 4 and ends on June 5. Afterward, the pilgrims will proceed to the holy sites of Muzdalifah and Mina.
The ministry has upgraded the mosque's ventilation, air conditioning and purification system to monitor carbon dioxide levels and to allow for 100 percent air renewal every 30 minutes.
To create a healthier environment for pilgrims, the ministry has installed 70 water chillers; each unit can serve up to 2,000 pilgrims an hour, with a total capacity of quenching the thirst of 140,000 pilgrims an hour. In addition, it has updated the site's audio system and security surveillance cameras.
Namirah Mosque is one of the largest in the world, accommodating nearly 400,000 worshippers at once. It features 72 gates and entrances. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon at this site.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
26 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims perform 4 main rituals of Hajj in a serene atmosphere on Friday
Saudi Gazette Report MINA — The Hajj pilgrims performed four main rituals of Hajj in a smooth and serene atmosphere on Friday. The meticulously designed foolproof organizational and service plans for Hajj 2025 have transformed the pilgrims' journey from Muzdalifah to Mina into a smooth crowd movement featuring easy access to the Jamarat facility for the stoning ritual in a safe and tranquil atmosphere. These plans, implemented in coordination with various security and service agencies, have contributed to achieving the highest levels of discipline and organization by utilizing modern technological tools and well-designed operational models. These enabled smooth and safe crowd movement. With hearts filled with joy and pleasure over performing the ritual of standing at Arafat, the apex point of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, on Thursday, masses of pilgrims embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil under the soaring summer heat. The ritual marks the final days of the Hajj and the start of the Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world on Friday, Dhul Hijjah 10, which is also known as Yaum Al-Nahr or the Day of Sacrifice. On Friday morning, crowds of pilgrims headed on foot to the stoning areas. Some were seen pushing disabled pilgrims on wheelchairs on a multi-lane road leading to the complex housing the large pillars. Most pilgrims were seen sweltering and carrying umbrellas to protect them against the burning summer sun. Upon reaching Mina, pilgrims performed stoning at Jamarat Al-Aqba (biggest pillar symbolizing Satan), following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They used seven pebbles for the stoning ritual. The pilgrims' movement to hurl pebbles at Jamrat Al-Aqaba was smooth, orderly, and flexible on the floors of the giant Jamarat Bridge Complex with all the precautionary measures in place. Reaching the Jamarat, they stopped the chanting of talbiyah and started reciting takbeer (Allahu Akbar) while proceeding to perform the stoning ritual. Around 300,000 pilgrims can perform the stoning ritual at the facility in an hour. All the security, health, ambulance, hygiene and civil defense services are well in place at the Jamarat Bridge. The security men were seen organizing the movement of pilgrims in the vast sprawling stoning area on the multi-level Jamarat Complex and at its entrances and exits. The heat-blocking coating of pedestrian paths in Mina leading to the Jamarat Bridge are giving some respite to the pilgrims under the scorching sun. The General Directorate of Civil Defense has strengthened its preparations throughout the Jamarat facility and its surrounding areas to receive the pilgrims. The Civil Defense forces continued their field services by conducting operations throughout the Jamarat Bridge facility and surrounding areas to provide services to pilgrims. Civil Defense teams and units are stationed at all points of the bridge and its main entrances. They are equipped with personnel, technical equipment, machinery, and protective gear, working in collaboration with Hajj security forces and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. After performing the stoning ritual, the pilgrims sacrificed animals, and thus had a partial exit (first tahallul) from the state of ihram by shaving or cutting hair for men while women trim the length of a finger-tip from one strand of hair. They then changed back into normal clothing from ihram. Pilgrims then proceeded to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah and sai' (ritual of running between Safa and Marwah), two other pillars of Hajj. Those pilgrims who performed sai' along with Tawaful Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival) need not perform it again. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, working in close coordination with relevant authorities, has meticulously managed crowd movement within the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba). In addition to crowd control, comprehensive services have been intensified to ensure pilgrims' well-being, including rigorous cleaning and sterilization efforts, provision of multi-language guidance and counseling services, and 24-hour emergency and ambulance services With the performance of tawaf and sai', pilgrims would exit completely from the state of ihram. To assist pilgrims in completing their Hajj rituals, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is providing a 24-hour haircut service for complete tahallul. The service is available at two convenient locations within the Grand Mosque: one near Al-Marwah Gate and the other in the eastern courtyard. A specialized and experienced team delivers this swift service, with each pilgrim's haircut taking two minutes. All tools used are fully sterilized, ensuring an efficient, prompt, and high-quality service that adheres to the strictest safety standards. In the remaining two or three days of Hajj, which are known as Ayyamu Tashreeq or Tashreeq Days, the only ritual to be performed is stoning at each of the three Jamarat (Jamarat Al-Sughra, Jamarat Al-Wusta and Jamarat Al-Aqba) seven times each after staying overnight in Mina.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Spanish Muslims Retrace Ancient Hajj Travel Route on Horseback from Andalusia to Saudi Arabia
Three Spanish pilgrims performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia rode on horseback to Makkah, traveling thousands of kilometers in snow and rain and along a path they said had not been trekked for more than 500 years. Abdelkader Harkassi Aidi, Tarek Rodriguez and Abdallah Rafael Hernandez Mancha set out from southern Spain in October, riding through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Syria and Jordan to arrive in Saudi Arabia in May. It was an emotional moment for the trio when they reached Makkah. No pilgrim had traveled this way since 1491, they said. Harkassi said the group's path from Spain took them across about 8,000 kilometers (nearly 5,000 miles) before they reached the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. "We had crossed so many kilometers to be there and Allah had replied to our wish," he told The Associated Press on Thursday from Arafat, southeast of Makkah. "We were in front of the Kaaba and had the opportunity to touch it. So, 8,000 kilometers became nothing." During their monthslong journey they came across scenic stretches of nature and historical landmarks in Syria, including the Aleppo Citadel and the Umayyad Mosque. They also found an old railway track built during the time of the Ottoman Empire that connected Istanbul to Saudi Arabia. They followed it for days to help guide them to the desert Kingdom. But there were challenges, too. They lost their horses in Bosnia, only to find them later in a landmine zone. Nobody could fetch the horses because of the explosives, but the animals eventually made it out of the area unharmed, Harkassi said. The human element of the trip was the most valuable for the team, he added. "When we didn't have anything, people helped us with our horses, with our food, they gave us money. When our assistance car got broken, they fixed it for us," Harkassi said. "People have been incredible. I think it's proof that Muslims are united, that the one ummah (nation) that every Muslim longs for is a reality."
Leaders
an hour ago
- Leaders
Drones Successfully Transport Medicines between Hospitals during Hajj 2025
The Makkah Health Cluster announced that the pilot operation of a drone-powered medication transport program between healthcare centers and hospitals has succeeded in the holy sites, according to Sabq News. This success represents a remarkable milestone in boosting the efficiency of healthcare services during Hajj 2025. The process consists of several stages, starting with the preparation stage in which authorities determine the required quantities and contact with healthcare facilities. Then, the program employs the latest technologies in compliance with the requirements of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Therefore, medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory equipment can be easily reserved, dispensed, and delivered to healthcare facilities in the holy sites. To ensure that the process runs properly, the authorities can control the drone through a monitoring screen. Related Topics: Saudi Crown Prince Arrives in Mina to Oversee Hajj Services INTERVIEW: A Spiritual Awakening — One Pilgrim's First Steps Toward Hajj Royal Saudi Naval Forces Support Hajj 1446 Security Operations Short link : Post Views: 3 Related Stories
