MUSLIM SHOULD BE MUSLIM

 

Pickpocketing down by 75% in Madinah

                                                                                                

JEDDAH: Stealing from worshippers while they are busy praying, reciting Qur'an or supplicating dropped by about 75 percent compared to previous years, local Arabic daily Al-Madinah reported Tuesday.

"There were more than 3,000 personnel from the security force of the holy mosque working in shifts, round the clock, to preserve maximum safety and security of the worshippers," the newspaper said quoting commander of the force Brig. Hamid Al-Rihaili.

He said the security force of the Prophet's Mosque has set up operations equipped with digital TV cameras to monitor all activities in and outside the mosque. "There are about 1,300 fixed and mobile cameras to supply the operations room with data concerning any negative aspect that may take place in the mosque or its plazas," he added.

Al-Rihaili said special security guards have been placed for the imams of the mosque for their safety and protect them against any act that might jeopardize their work.

He said the security force was working competently to prevent any negative action such as stealing or begging. "The force also controls the masses to prevent stampede while large numbers of worshippers enter and exit the mosque," he said.

Al-Rihaili said the force was increased to more than 3,500 personnel during the last 10 days of Ramadan that witnessed an influx of visitors who were keen to pay homage to the Prophet and pray in his mosque in the holy month.