By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS

Workers seal off portions of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Sunday in preparation for the first day of fasting. (AN photo)

JEDDAH: New workers have been recruited to hand out Ramadan meals at the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

“Close to 500 new officials including supervisors are appointed to ensure the smooth free meal supply at the Grand Mosque in Ramadan,” Director of Grand Mosque courtyards Muslih Al-Hammadi told Arab News.

He said the officials would seat the pilgrims and visitors in the courtyards and supply meal packets. The seating arrangements will stretch from the Makkah Mukarramah library to the northern courtyards including Ghazzah and Al-Shobaikah.

The supervisors further have to ensure that all leftovers are removed and the courtyards cleaned quickly, so that the Maghrib (sunset) prayer can be started without delay.

Supervisors should also see that no food that leaves behind remnants inconveniencing worshipers are supplied. The authorities have demanded that charity organizations only send meals that meet quality standards.

The supervisors will also prevent hawkers and beggars from entering the courtyards. In addition, they will seize all unlicensed wheelchairs operating in the area. read more