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Dubai: More than four million worshippers performed evening and taraweeh prayers at the two holy shrines in Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia on the 27th night of Ramadan, marking Lailat Al Qadr, the night on which the Quran was first revealed, Saudi newspapers said.
In the Quran, Lailat Al Qadr, is the night when the angels descend to earth and it is said to be better than a thousand months. It is a time that Muslims spend in prayer and ask for forgiveness.
Arabic-language newspaper Okaz said yesterday that security forces at the holy mosque in Makkah were backed by more than 1,000 security personnel. This plan was applied in cooperation with the General Authority for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Affairs. Entry and exit was organised and worshippers were not allowed to sit or pray on passage routes leading to the holy mosque or near the gates to allow easy access into the mosque, and to prevent any jams and crowds.
Safety plan
Despite the 150,000 vehicles that entered Makkah, the accidents were few.
The Civil Defence administration employed 2,500 officers and policemen to implement the safety plan, where 540 fully equipped vehicles were utilised, along with 300 motorcycles, equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
A comprehensive safety plan was set inside the holy mosque, which was implemented by 300 policemen and 16 officers to organise the entry and exit of worshippers.
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