Integrated operation by security forces ensures safety of worshippers

Policemen in uniform as well in plainclothes have been deployed to all districts of Makkah to closely monitor the traffic flow and the level of security.

Maj. Gen. Said Al-Qarni

Commander of Makkah Province Police

Saudi Gazette report

SAUDI security officers exert great efforts throughout the month of Ramadan all over the country and the two holy cities in particular. They carry out intensive field trips round the clock in line with an integrated system of operation by various security bodies. The objective is to serve the citizens, expatriate residents and pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, in addition to ensuring overall security.

Assistant Commander of Umrah Security Forces for Road Security Maj. Gen. Zayid Al-Tuwayyan has said the security and traffic plans are updated and improved every year based on the cumulative field experience. He said during the planning stage they consistently consider reports from the previous seasons in order to incorporate the positive aspects and to eliminate any drawbacks.

Maj. Gen. Al-Tuwayyan made the remarks at a joint press conference held by the commanders of the Umrah Security Forces at its headquarters in Mina on Thursday to explain the security plans for Ramadan.

Explaining the tasks and duties of the Road Security Forces in Ramadan, Al-Tuwayyan said the security presence will be intensified on all roads leading to Makkah and Madinah to ensure the safety of all road users and provide them with all necessary assistance.

Apart from this, more officers will be deployed at checkpoints on all gateways to Makkah. Road Security personnel also coordinate with other government agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to the road users, Al-Tuwayyan said. He urged the travelers to strictly abide by traffic regulations put in place to ensure their own safety and comfort.

Assistant Commander of Umrah Security Forces for Field Inspections Maj. Gen. Muneer Al-Jibreen said all technological resources and manpower have been provided to the inspection teams. The objectives include crime prevention and speedy intervention in the event of any untoward incident taking place.

Al-Jibreen said the officers would not show any leniency while dealing with criminals and offenders because their priority is to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests of God.

He appealed to worshippers not to carry bulky packages of personal items into the Grand Mosque or its courtyards. Instead, they should keep their belongings in the safety lockers made ready by the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

Al-Jibreen said his forces carry out humanitarian work, aside from their basic tasks. He added that women officers would handle cases concerning female pilgrims.

Commander of Makkah Province Police Maj. Gen. Said Al-Qarni said his forces started preparing detailed plans for policing the Umrah season at the end of the last Ramadan itself. He added that they made the best use of all observations from the previous season to improve the performance level.

Maj. Gen. Al-Qarni said the security plan was being carried out in two stages. The first stage started on May 21 (Shaban 25), with the officers streamlining the movement of visitors and Umrah pilgrims.

The second stage concerns the accommodation of pilgrims. The security men carry out detailed plans to streamline the movement of worshippers to the Grand Mosque and back to their living quarters. They also ensure residential units and vehicles in the parking lots are secure and safe.

The security men control and manager the public transport stations in the central area of the holy city, taking into consideration the huge traffic volume in peak hours.

Al-Qarni said policemen in uniform as well in plainclothes have been deployed to all districts of Makkah to closely monitor the traffic flow and the level of security. He called on the residents of Makkah to make way for the guests of God, whether from within the Kingdom or abroad, and make matters simple for them.

At the same time, he advised all visitors to safeguard their belongings.

Director of the Traffic Department in Makkah Col. Basim Al-Badri said 3,000 traffic police officers would enforce the traffic plan for Ramadan in the city. The officers, divided into five squads, will work round the clock.

Al-Badri said the city has been divided into three zones for operational convenience. These include the central area in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque, the districts outside the central area, and the highways.

New checkpoints have been set up for directing Umrah pilgrims coming by road to appropriate parking lots. A new checkpoint set up this year at Dawariq Square will direct motorists to the Rusaifah parking along Umm Al-Qura Road.

Al-Badri added that there are nine internal and external parking lots where pilgrims can park their vehicles before heading to the Grand Mosque. Two new parking lots have been added this year. One of them is exclusively for the state guests and it can accommodate over 5,000 cars.

Al-Badri said a security unit would supervise the convoys of the state guests by facilitating their movement within the city without causing any traffic jams on their way.

In addition to Al-Rusaifah, the car parks for local pilgrims are Al-Shuhada, Kudai, Rabwat Mina, Prince Miteb Street, the Jamarat, Daqam Al-Wabar and Al-Zahir.