Over 2 million seek God's mercy at Khatm Al-Qur'an prayer
An aerial view of the illuminating Grand Mosque and surrounding buildings on the 29th night of Ramadan. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)
Published: Aug 29, 2011 00:06 Updated: Aug 29, 2011 00:06
MAKKAH: More than 2 million faithful, including hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, attended Khatm Al-Qur'an prayer (conclusion of the Holy Qur'an) at the Grand Mosque here Sunday. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam and khateeb of the mosque, led the prayers.
The mosque was overcrowded with worshippers since the early hours of the day as most of them wanted to take part in the prayers to mark the end of the recitation of the holy book during taraweeh and qiyamullail prayers at the mosque.
Sheikh Al-Sudais prayed to God to strengthen Muslim unity in order to help the Ummah face its growing challenges. He also prayed for improving the situation of Muslims all over the world. He invoked God to forgive the sins of Muslims and encourage them to lead a better life on the basis of Islamic teachings.
Thousands of worshippers were standing in the courtyards and streets around the mosque to attend the prayer. Most of them had come seeking the blessings of Lailat Al-Qadr (the night of power), which according to a Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) falls in the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The first verses of the Holy Qur'an revealed to the Prophet in Lailat Al-Qadr, which according to the Qur'an is better than a thousand months. The Qur'an plays an important role in the lives of Muslims as they read its verses while praying and follow its teachings.
The worshippers experienced their spiritual moments in an atmosphere of tranquility, peace and security provided by the Saudi authorities as part of many other services aimed at enabling pilgrims and worshippers to do their rituals in ease and comfort.
Assistant Director of Public Security Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Kilaiwi, there were about 1,700 police officers and privates around the Haram directing people toward their destinations and showing them the assembly places using signboards in various languages.
He said the main task of the police force is to maintain security and prevent friction and stampedes that might be fatal to the worshippers.
Commander of Security of the Holy Haram Col. Yahya Al-Zahrani said a total of 1,600 privates, 29 officers and 280 cadets are working inside the Grand Mosque to prevent pilgrims blocking the passages and stop those who are not performing Umrah from entering the Mataf area to allow pilgrims to perform their rites peacefully.
He said worshippers not wearing ihram would be directed toward the roof of the mosque, the underground floor and the outside plazas.
Al-Zahrani said the Grand Mosque is monitored around the clock by more than 750 cameras.
Abdullah Hassanain of Makkah waters said the water would be pumped mainly to the central area and those accommodating pilgrims and visitors and added that any shortage would be compensated from the reserve of more than a million cubic meters.
He said there are 15 maintenance centers in Makkah with 149 teams to intervene immediately to fix pumps and repair water networks.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is in the vicinity of Makkah to supervise services being extended by the various government and private agencies to the guests of God. He is supported by Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif and other senior Cabinet members.
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