Governance of Iftar meals in the Two Holy Mosques: The new 'Ihsan' phase
A new institutional system to serve the pilgrims
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced that the “Iftar Meals for Fasting People” project has entered a new and pivotal phase under the title “Excellence,” beginning with Ramadan 1447 AH. Engineer Ghazi bin Dhafer Al-Shahrani, CEO of the Authority, affirmed that this phase represents a strategic shift from individual efforts and scattered initiatives to a comprehensive governance system that ensures the provision of Iftar meals to the pilgrims with a quality befitting the sanctity of the place and the spirituality of the time.
Historical background and development of the service
The iftar meals at the Two Holy Mosques during the holy month of Ramadan have always been a spectacle of faith, reflecting the generosity of hospitality and the spirit of solidarity in Islam. For decades, these meals have been largely organized through individual initiatives by philanthropists and charitable organizations, who compete to provide dates, milk, water, and other light meals to millions of fasting Muslims. Despite the immense spiritual value of these initiatives, they have faced increasing logistical challenges with the massive growth in the number of pilgrims and visitors, necessitating the development of operational mechanisms to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.
A scientific study paves the way for the "benevolence" phase
As a prelude to this qualitative shift, the Authority, in partnership with the non-profit sector represented by the Badel Foundation, conducted a field study during Ramadan 1446 AH to measure the experience of Iftar meals. The study included a large sample of 10,000 fasting individuals, and its results showed a high level of satisfaction reaching 85%. The study also revealed 62 areas for improvement, from which 69 development ideas were extracted and translated into 6 key initiatives that form the basis of the new governance system.
The three pillars of governance to ensure excellence
The “Ihsan” system is based on three main pillars to ensure a complete Iftar experience:
- Meal component development: In collaboration with major food companies, nutritionally balanced meals will be provided, including high-quality dates, dried fruits, protein sources such as nuts, healthy fats, baked goods, and water. The meals will be offered in three categories with carefully considered calorie counts to meet diverse needs.
- Operational and Logistical Organization: Prayer areas will be divided into operational zones, each assigned to a certified company with backup companies. A detailed plan has been developed to organize manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and lifting operations, with designated parking areas for transport vehicles to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. The new system ensures the immediate removal of prayer mats after Iftar, along with waste sorting, adherence to the highest hygiene standards, and standardized identification of all staff working in the Two Holy Mosques.
- Donation Flow Governance: To enhance transparency and ensure donations reach their intended recipients, all donations will be channeled through the national charitable platform “Ihsan.” The process is overseen by the “Nusk” and “Badel” foundations to guarantee that funds reach the implementing companies, thus completing the governance cycle from donation to implementation.
Importance and expected impact
This initiative is of paramount importance both locally and internationally. Locally, it aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the religious experience of pilgrims and enhance the efficiency of services provided to them. Internationally, the Two Holy Mosques receive millions of Muslims from around the world, and providing a well-organized and high-quality Iftar service reflects the Kingdom's civilized image and reinforces its position as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. This governance is expected to contribute to unprecedented efficiency, raise food safety standards, and set a global benchmark for crowd management and service delivery in the holiest of places.
