Saudi authorities assigned 220 inspectors to control the yards of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and to interdict pilgrims from shaving their heads after accomplishing the performance of their rituals to maintain the cleanliness of the yards, especially as it have been furnished with carpets for prayers.

The main task of these inspectors who are assigned by the an affiliate of the General Presidency of the affairs of the Grand Mosque  is to direct Umrah pilgrims to licensed barber shops.

The administration also puts the accent on not to use the Mosque’s yards as gathering places as it hinders pilgrims from moving and to avoid congestion too.

 In the same frame, the administration insisted on not using the Zamzam water for ablution and even to avoid to ablute in the areas of the Zamzam water for these areas are set specifically for drinking nothing more. Pilgrims have been asked to avoid filling containers and bottles with Zamzam water too for the water taps in these areas are only allocated for drinking water.

The Director of the Administration of Yards, Moslah Al-Hamadi, added that among the roles of the inspectors is not to let pilgrims trade Zamzam water and the cereals which are used to feed pigeons.

Moslah Al-Hamdi  said the main assignement of the administration is to curb and put a definite limit to  bad habits  as well as smoking  in the yards and taking photographs without permission.

He added to say that there exist 17 colored maps meant to familiarize pilgrims with the Holy Mosque surroundings and  to let them  identify main streets.

Additionally, he said that there are charitable societies which serve meals  to pilgrims to break their fast.