
Over 3,300 tons of Zamzam water consumed at Prophet's Mosque in just 15 days
Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Prophet's Mosque has stepped up its operations and service offerings to accommodate the rising number of worshippers in Madinah during the 1446 Hajj season, focusing on Zamzam water distribution, hygiene, and hospitality.
In coordination with the Haram Authority, significant quantities of Zamzam water bottles and containers were made available throughout the Prophet's Mosque, including on the rooftop and at chilled drinking stations across the courtyards. Services were maintained around the clock to meet the needs of pilgrims and worshippers.
From the 15th of Dhul-Qi'dah to the first of Dhul-Hijjah, the Authority reported the distribution of 218,336 bottles of Zamzam water to worshippers in both the men's and women's sections of the mosque.
During the same period, the total Zamzam water consumption reached 3,360 tons, with over 14 million plastic cups used to facilitate water access.
In addition, 301,802 Iftar meals were served to fasting visitors, distributed in designated areas inside the mosque, as part of the Authority's seasonal hospitality program.To ensure a clean and safe environment, 52,625 liters of disinfectants and sanitizers were used in cleaning and sterilizing the mosque's interior and facilities.As part of efforts to enhance the spiritual atmosphere, 7 kilograms of premium incense were used to scent the mosque and Rawdah areas before each prayer, including at entrances and corridors.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims start flocking to Mina from Makkah early on Wednesday
Saudi Gazette Report MINA — Pilgrims started flocking to Mina from their residences in Makkah early on Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. Following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they are reciting talbiyah and glorifying God while heading to the Tent City. Hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims join more than 1.47 million foreign pilgrims who came from all over the world to perform Hajj this year. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qarni, director general of Hajj and Umrah at the General Transportation Center of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, said that international pilgrims have completed their arrival in Makkah, while domestic pilgrims reached Makkah and performed Tawaf Al-Qudum before heading to Mina tonight in preparation for performing the Hajj rituals. "The arrival phase of international pilgrims has been completed, with travel between Makkah and Madinah occurring over the past 36 days. No incidents have been recorded that would impede the movement of pilgrims during this phase. We are now receiving domestic pilgrims, who started arriving in Makkah on Monday night and Tuesday and performed tawaf,' he said. Dr. Al-Qarni said that pilgrims' movement will begin from 8:00 pm on Tuesday until 10 am on Wednesday. The Tarwiyah phase of the ascent from Mina to Arafat will begin via three modes of transportation. 'The Mashair train will carry 316,000 pilgrims, while multi-modal and traditional transportation will transport approximately 720,000 pilgrims. These numbers include their arrival and ascending on Arafat on the morning of Thursday, Dhul Hijjah 9, the Day of Arafat,' he said. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has completed preparations at Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina to receive pilgrims with spreading prayer rugs on an area covering more than 27,000 square meters as part of an integrated operational and technical service system designed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the pilgrims. This year, Al-Khayf Mosque underwent several major upgrades, including a comprehensive overhaul of its air-conditioning and ventilation systems. The enhancements feature the installation of advanced cooling units connected to smart control systems, as well as monitoring systems that detect carbon dioxide levels and automatically activate fans and cooling devices, thereby improving operational efficiency and maximizing comfort for the pilgrims. In the wake of the forecast of sweltering summer temperatures, the Saud authorities have made elaborate arrangements and preparations to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. Dr. Abdullah Asir, deputy minister of health, said that the ministry has mobilized a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff for the Hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," he said. Eng. Khaled Al-Tala'a, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, revealed that the health status of pilgrims is stable. He announced the launch of three field hospitals and the operation of 71 emergency points. Al-Tala'a also noted that the bed capacity has increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year, and that more than 98,000 health services have been provided to date.


Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what is Eid Al-Adha? Why are they significant for Muslims?
Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converging on Saudi Arabia unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. They fulfill a religious obligation, immersing themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to IS THE HAJJ?The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It's required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than is also one of the Five Pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, and IS THE HAJJ?The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extremely high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The country's health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAJJ TO MUSLIMS?For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. It's seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages, and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility, and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj, or save up money and wait for a permit to embark on the of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those who've performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually preparing ARE SOME OF THE RITUALS THAT PILGRIMS PERFORM?Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj, and they enter a state of 'ihram.' Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God.A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their rituals include performing 'tawaf,' circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Makkah counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajjar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her IS EID AL-ADHA?Eid Al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj.A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid Al-Adha marks Ibrahim's test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people.


Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Health Ministry urges pilgrims not to expose to heat stress
Saudi Gazette report MINA — As pilgrims are preparing to move to Mina, to mark the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, the Ministry of Health has intensified its comprehensive field and awareness initiatives to safeguard pilgrims' health and prevent heat stress. This effort aligns with Vision 2030's Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program that aimed for a safe and healthy Hajj. Preventing heat-related illnesses is a top priority of the ministry. It urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink water regularly, even if they are not thirsty, and wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Symptoms of heat stress include headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, thirst, and nausea. Upon noticing these, pilgrims should immediately move to a shaded area, cool down with water, and drink plenty of fluids. Pilgrims are advised to avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, refrain from walking on hot surfaces, and exercise caution when engaging in strenuous activities, such as climbing mountains, on the Day of Arafat, which can increase the risk of heat stress. The ministry affirmed that the health sector is highly prepared, with over 34 equipped field health units strategically distributed across the holy sites. These units provide urgent medical care and rapid response for heat stress cases, enhancing pilgrim safety. The ministry has also launched a health awareness kit, available in eight languages, offering comprehensive health guidelines. Through its advanced field system and qualified medical personnel, the Ministry of Health continues its extensive efforts to provide comprehensive health and preventive services, promoting safety and ensuring pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and tranquility in a healthy environment.