The Alawi Holy Shrine has announced the implementation of an extensive service plan to welcome pilgrims on the Day of Arafah and the blessed Eid al-Adha; a plan designed with the aim of facilitating pilgrimage, performing prayers, and providing rest areas and accommodation for pilgrims.
Zaid al-Khirsan, the official responsible for following up on the Service Affairs Department, stated in an interview with the shrine’s News Center:
“The staff of the Service Affairs Department have begun their intensive preparations to serve pilgrims, and these measures, within the framework of a comprehensive plan, encompass all service areas inside and around the holy shrine of Imam Ali.”
He explained:
“Within this plan, over 22,000 square meters of carpeting have been laid to accommodate the large number of pilgrims, and stations for distributing drinking water have been prepared around the holy shrine, the pathways leading to the shrine, Al-Jawahiri Street, Al-Hammami Street, Sheikh Tusi’s area, and Imam Reza (peace be upon him) City.”
Mr. Al-Khirsan added:
“To create a suitable and cool environment amidst rising temperatures, approximately 450 cooling devices have been installed in the courtyard of the holy shrine, its surroundings, and the courtyard of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her). Additionally, in coordination with the Machinery Department, 18 modern cleaning machines have been deployed to clean the courtyard and its surroundings, and several waste compactors have been stationed in various areas of the old city and the pathways leading to the shrine.”
He continued:
“In this plan, special vehicles have been allocated to transport pilgrims from Imam Reza (peace be upon him) City to Al-Jawahiri Street, and the halls of this city have also been fully equipped to accommodate and host pilgrims. Furthermore, a complete medical unit has been designated to provide therapeutic and health services.”
The official responsible for following up on the Service Affairs Department concluded:
“The department staff have also installed retractable awnings covering an area of over a thousand square meters on Al-Hammami Street to provide a suitable space for accommodating pilgrims. Special locations for storing pilgrims’ belongings have also been opened, with a simultaneous capacity of holding over 12,000 items.”
It is worth mentioning that the Deputy Custodian of the Alawi Holy Shrine has requested all departments and servants to fully mobilize their capabilities and make double efforts to provide the best services to the pilgrims of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) during the days of Arafah and Eid al-Adha.
