Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, inspected key holy sites on Thursday to ensure that all preparations are in place to receive pilgrims for the Hajj season. During the visit, he inaugurated eight new development projects valued at more than $9 million (SAR 33.7 million), aimed at improving infrastructure and services at major pilgrimage locations.
Among the projects are significant upgrades at Namira Mosque in Arafat, which include the installation of 19 large structural umbrellas similar to those at the Prophet’s Mosque. These provide vital shade and are equipped with heat-reflective coatings on floor surfaces, reducing temperatures in shaded areas by up to 10 degrees Celsius.
The visit also marked the second phase of the mosque’s courtyard cooling project. As part of this initiative, 98 misting fans have been installed in and around Namira Mosque to help pilgrims cope with extreme summer heat. In Mina, 57 additional misting fans were added at Al-Khaif Mosque and public restrooms to improve comfort for worshippers.
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To ensure sufficient water supply, a total of 70 cold water production units—each with a capacity of 1,000 liters—have been installed. These units are capable of serving up to 140,000 pilgrims per hour. Furthermore, an integrated system combining audio, surveillance, and lighting controls has been introduced and is now managed via a centralized electronic unit.
In a move to enhance air quality within worship areas, carbon dioxide monitoring devices have been installed for the first time. Other improvements include modernization of air conditioning and ventilation systems at Namira and Al-Khaif mosques, restoration of Namira Mosque with enhanced insulation and energy efficiency, and the renovation of Hajjaj Al-Barr Mosque in Mina.
Following the inspection and project inaugurations, Minister Al-Sheikh expressed appreciation for the unwavering support provided by Saudi leadership toward Hajj pilgrims. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to ensuring that worshippers are able to perform their religious duties in a setting of comfort, safety, and spiritual peace.
He added that the consistent support from the leadership has enabled the ministry to fully execute its responsibilities in preparing worship sites, enhancing infrastructure, and offering high-quality services to guests of Allah.