Saudi Interior Ministry prepares for Umrah season and end of Ramadan

Riyadh: The Umrah season and the conclusion of Ramadan for the millions of pilgrims and visitors in Makkah and Madinah will be secure, according to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior, which has confirmed that all necessary precautions have been taken.

Senior Umrah Security Forces officials made the announcement on Monday in the Unified Security Operations Center in Makkah, according to a report from the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, Arab News reported.

Lt. Gen. Mohammad Al-Bassami, the director of public security, stated that so far, Ramadan has gone smoothly and that the ministry is now preparing for the final 10 days of the holy month when Makkah typically sees a greater number of pilgrims.

In light of this, the ground floor and courtyards, as well as the top of the Grand Mosque, have been designated for Tawaf, or circumambulation.

Al-Bassami praised the teams in the field who had carried out many operations, including the arrest of beggars, as well as the officers working in the ministry's command and control centre for their diligence during the holy month.

The director-general of Civil Defense, Maj. Gen. Hammoud Al-Faraj stated that teams are working nonstop in more than 111 locations across Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Faraj claimed that a number of volunteer teams help the Civil Defense by promoting safety through the media and technological displays at the two revered mosques.

Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba, the deputy director-general of the General Directorate of Passports, stated that officials at every country's entrance point have been preparing to ensure the prompt completion of processes for travelling worshippers.