70 tons of dates distributed daily in Makkah’s Grand Mosque A whopping 70 tons of dates is distributed daily to fasting pilgrims in Makkah’s Grand Mosque. The dates are spread on floor trails stretching 65km inside the Haram, the Director of Hygiene and Furnishings Administration at the Grand Mosque, Sultan bin Aati Al-Qurashi, said. There are 167 tons of waste generated every day inside the Grand Mosque, he said, adding that on the 27 and 29 nights of Ramadan, the quantity of dates distributed reaches 300 tons. The Hygiene and Furnishings Administration in the Grand Mosque supervises the breaking of the fast daily, which is organized in collaboration with establishments, charities and individuals. Al-Qurashi said there are specific standards prescribed for services that are offered by 14 establishments and charities, as well as 880 individuals who have been granted permits according to standards. The disposal of date seeds is important to avoid droppings on the floor and creating blocks. The establishment, charities and individuals have deployed supervisors and workers to ensure the quality of dates and make sure that the table-spread on the floors are a uniform beige color with a consistence thickness of 50 microns. This year, there are more than 5,000 workers who have been deployed around the Grand Mosque. Al-Qurashi said that there has been a field committee deployed for follow-up and for ensuring that standards and specifications are being complied with. Dates and coffee are taken into the mosque by those who have permits 30 minutes after Asr prayer. They enter through side doors as the floor tables are being laid out. The dates and coffee are carefully distributed just before Maghreb prayers. He said that table spreads are removed within 5 minutes following the call for Maghreb prayer, placed inside litter bags and taken by special carts for central collection, which are located on different sides of the mosque and then taken outside the Central Square through special compressors. Al-Qurashi called on pilgrims for greater cooperation to make the hygiene plan a success and to place their litter in designated areas. He also urged them to contribute to the hygiene of the House of God by not bringing with them food and drink but to limit their consumption inside the mosque to Zamzam water, dates and coffee. He pointed out that pilgrims should not perform ablution in Zamzam water, which is meant solely for drinking and because it could lead to slippery floors. The director also called on pilgrims to place their shoes in the shoe cubbies along the sides of the mosque and in its corridors. The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Holy Mosque in Makkah would be happy to receive feedback and suggestions from pilgrims and visitors through the Hygiene and Furnishings Administration. Feedback can be sent directly to the Presidency or through fax on 025739992 or posted on the website of the General Presidency for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 02:17:30 +0000
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