By SYED FAISAL ALI | ARAB NEWS
MAKKAH: The new ablution point constructed in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate or Gate No. 1 of the Grand Mosque has provided much sought after relief to pilgrims who want to perform wudu (ablution), said many pilgrims.
“Earlier we had to go to the underground washroom, which is always crowded with people who want to relieve themselves, making it difficult for others who want to use the facility for ablution purposes only,” said Ekran Javed from India.
Pakistani pilgrim Tajammul Hussain agreed. He said due to crowding it takes a long time there to perform ablutions. However, now with this facility just in front of the mosque gate, it has become convenient and time saving for pilgrims to purify themselves in preparation for the prayer.
The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs has planned to build another three such open-air ablution points in front of the major gates of the mosque. Now only one point is operational while work on the other three is in progress, said Shah Alam Siddiqui of the Saudi Binladin Group, which is implementing the project.
“The ablution point has been built over the exhaust junctions where pilgrims used to sit and relax. Now it has been converted into an ablution point, which has also been fitted with water sprinklers to provide respite to pilgrims from heat,” Siddiqui said.
Categories: Asia, ISLAM, Saudi Arabia