Services for people with disabilities in the Two Holy Mosques: Comprehensive care and integrated facilities

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays exceptional attention to pilgrims with disabilities, stemming from its religious and humanitarian duty and in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to facilitate the hosting of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and provide them with the best possible services. This increased attention coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the significant strides the Kingdom has made in transforming the Two Holy Mosques into an accessible environment for people with disabilities.

The regulatory and legislative framework for the rights of persons with disabilities

The attention given to this group was not accidental, but rather founded on solid regulatory and legislative frameworks. Cabinet Resolution No. (266) dated 27/5/1439 AH established the Commission for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, making it the official umbrella organization for all matters related to their affairs in the Kingdom. These efforts culminated in the issuance of Royal Decree No. (M/27) dated 11/2/1445 AH by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – approving the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reflecting the state's firm commitment to empowering them and guaranteeing their rights.

Integrated services system in the Grand Mosque

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has harnessed all its capabilities to serve this precious group, providing a package of quality services that begin from the moment they arrive at the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Mecca:

• Smart and safe transportation: The Authority provided dedicated lanes and ramps to facilitate vehicle movement, supported by clear signage. The "Hafawah" initiative was also activated, providing shuttle golf carts to transport the elderly and people with disabilities from the surrounding courtyards to the gates of the Grand Mosque.
• Crowd and Mataf Management: The Authority has allocated 25 lanes in the Mataf area, in addition to 4 lanes exclusively for the elderly and people with disabilities, to ensure smooth movement and the application of the highest safety standards.
• Equipped prayer areas: Special prayer areas have been set up within the King Fahd expansion (may God have mercy on him), carefully distributed to be close to the gates (such as Gate 91, Gate 68, and Gate 88). These prayer areas are equipped with tools for dry ablution (tayammum), copies of the Quran in Braille, reading pens, and canes for the visually impaired, in addition to the presence of sign language interpreters to translate sermons and lessons.

High-quality services at the Prophet's Mosque

In Medina, the Agency for the Care of the Prophet's Mosque continues to provide a leading model in caring for people with disabilities through the General Administration for Serving People with Disabilities, where services include:

1. A wide network of prayer rooms

Ten dedicated prayer areas have been set up and geographically distributed to cover all sides of the Prophet’s Mosque (3 in the northern expansion, 3 in the western, and 3 in the eastern), making them easily accessible from any entrance.

2. Assistive technologies for the deaf and mute

In a pioneering step, a special room was allocated on the western roof of the mosque that can accommodate 100 people, equipped with screens and technologies to translate the Friday sermon and lessons into sign language, thus ensuring their full integration into the religious atmosphere.

3. Field and logistical support

Services included providing dedicated parking spaces and distributing over 2,500 free trolleys through the door management office. Two elevators were also installed on the east and west sides (doors 9 and 33) to facilitate access to the roof, in addition to providing restrooms with international standards to meet their needs.

Human and global impact

These invaluable services have an impact that extends beyond mere organization; they also carry a universal humanitarian message affirming the tolerance and justice of Islam. Through these facilities, Muslims with disabilities, regardless of their ethnicity or language, can perform their rituals with ease, comfort, and peace of mind, thus reinforcing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's positive image as a custodian of the holy sites and a carer to the pilgrims without discrimination.