Services of the Grand’s Mosque for people with special needs and the elderly

the General Authority for the Care & Management of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosques continues to provide supportive services for people with disabilities at the Grand Mosque through equipped locations that cater to their needs. As the Grand Mosque serves as the Qibla for Muslims worldwide, attracting visitors with various health conditions, the presidency aims to prepare these locations to meet their needs and facilitate their worship with ease and comfort.

Key Services Provided:

Special Prayer Areas

Special prayer areas for people with disabilities are equipped with supportive tools and means to facilitate their rituals. These prayer areas are located near the main entrances for easy access. They are regularly cleaned and sanitized before and after each prayer.

Men’s Special Prayer Areas:

• King Fahd Expansion – First floor, opposite Gate 91.
• King Fahd Expansion – First floor, opposite the Shubaikah Bridge, Gate 68.
• Ground floor, next to the Shubaikah stairs, Gate 68.

Women’s Special Prayer Areas:

• King Fahd Expansion – Ground floor, Gate 88.
• King Fahd Expansion – First floor, Gate 65 (Shubaikah).
• Prayer Area 15 overlooking the Mataf area.
• Southern Courtyard Prayer Area (Ajyad Bridge).
• Western Courtyard Prayer Area (Shubaikah).
• Eastern Courtyard Prayer Area.

Supportive Tools:

• Hearing aids for the hearing impaired to use during prayers, sermons, and lessons.
• Tools for Tayammum (dry ablution).
• Quran with a reading pen for the elderly.
• Quran in Braille.
• Special cane for the visually impaired.
• Qualified interpreters in sign language for translating during sermons, lessons, and Quran circles.

Routes for Wheel chairs and Carts

Main routes for wheel chairs entering Masjid al-Haram are designated, such as:

• Ajyad Bridge in the western courtyard leading to the first floor of the Mataf.
• Shubaikah Bridge near Gate 64.
• Route to Marwah through the eastern courtyards.
• There are also several escalators and elevators equipped with guiding signs and symbols to facilitate movement, along with designated routes for special prayer areas.

Doors Equipped with Ramps

Eight doors are equipped with ramps to facilitate the entry and exit of people with visual and physical disabilities, with clear Braille signs. These doors include:

(68, 74, 79, 84, 89, 90, 93, 94). Special bridges such as Ajyad, Shubaikah, Marwah, and Arqam are also equipped to ease movement within Masjid al-Haram.

The presidency continues its efforts to provide a comfortable and safe environment for visitors with special needs and the elderly, ensuring they can perform their worship with ease and tranquillity.