The administrators of the Grand Mosque continue to improve their services by bringing more convenience to the guests of Allah. Most recently, the Saudi authorities in charge of Islam’s holiest site, Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, inaugurated electric coaches to help transport the elderly and worshipers in the sacred place on Thursday, 13 October.
The new facility launched by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is reportedly equipped with high safety standards. The high-tech vehicle, which will be very useful for the elderly and congregants with physical limitations, is designed to avoid collisions where the car is equipped with sophisticated sensors that can detect objects in the vicinity.
According to the Saudi news agency SPA, the cart, with a length of 2.9 meters and a width of 1 meter, operates on batteries that can run up to 30 kilometers. In addition, the cart made of fiberglass can carry up to seven passengers. The cart will also be equipped with a driver and particular doors to ensure riders’ safety.
In recent months, the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques has launched several facilities, including robots, to assist pilgrims and worshipers while in the Grand Mosque.
Earlier this year, the management of the Grand Mosque first introduced a green electric scooter that can help disabled worshipers more freely get around the mosque complex.
In contrast to the latest electric coaches, which can carry up to 7 worshipers, the electric scooter is a precursor to the congregational assistance vehicle. At the same time, the Grand Mosque has a smaller capacity and can only carry 1 to two people as it is only equipped with one large seat.
Another difference between the electric scooter and the newly introduced electric cart is the driver, whereas the electric scooter is not equipped with a driver. Hence, the congregation has to drive their scooter. Meanwhile, the electric cart is equipped with a driver trained to ensure the safety of the pilgrims it transports.
