holds The Prophet's Mosque a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide, being the second holiest site in Islam and one of its most prominent landmarks. Throughout history, this magnificent edifice has undergone successive expansions to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims and Umrah performers. In modern times, and in line with the ongoing efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the energy and operational systems of the Prophet's Mosque operate with high efficiency around the clock. These efforts aim to contribute to providing a comfortable and spiritual atmosphere for pilgrims, worshippers, and visitors, and to enhance the smooth flow of movement within the mosque and its courtyards, through an integrated system managed according to the highest international technical and operational standards.
Central cooling plant: Engineering that defies the climate
The high temperatures in the Medina region pose a significant challenge, necessitating the development of unique engineering solutions. The system relies on a massive central cooling plant located outside the Prophet's Mosque to maintain a calm environment. Spanning approximately 70,000 square meters, this plant comprises six giant cooling units, each with a capacity of 3,400 tons of refrigeration. Chilled water is pumped through a vast network of pipes to various facilities and courtyards within the Prophet's Mosque. The plant produces over 19,000 tons of cooling, distributed through hundreds of air conditioning units operating in perfect harmony within a unified system. This system is controlled by a central control system that monitors performance and operational efficiency in real time.
Umbrellas and misting fans of the Prophet's Mosque
In addition to the internal cooling, misting fans and umbrellas throughout the courtyards of the Prophet's Mosque significantly reduce the perceived temperature. The courtyards feature 244 giant, automatically opening and closing umbrellas, each 14 meters high and weighing up to 40 tons. Furthermore, 428 misting fans cool the air and lower temperatures in the outer courtyards, providing a safe and healthy environment that protects worshippers from heat stress.
A sophisticated sound system that resonates worldwide
On the audio front, the Prophet's Mosque employs a state-of-the-art sound system, one of the most advanced in the world. This system is managed from a central control room located in the mosque's basement, which oversees more than 6,500 speakers strategically placed throughout the mosque and its courtyards. The system operates on three primary and backup operating modes, in addition to an independent emergency system ready for immediate activation. To ensure quality, a thorough daily inspection of the microphones and sound systems is conducted before each prayer time.
Smooth flow of movement and service for the elderly
Regarding horizontal and vertical movement, the Prophet's Mosque includes 180 escalators and 17 elevators, specifically designed to serve pilgrims, with a focus on the elderly and people with disabilities to facilitate their movement. These facilities undergo continuous and meticulous maintenance, including vibration measurements, operating speed assessments, and energy consumption monitoring.
Global impact and sustainable care
All these systems are managed and monitored by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. This advanced level of operation not only reflects the Kingdom's engineering capabilities (local impact), but also extends its influence regionally and internationally by providing a global model for crowd management and the maintenance of major facilities, ensuring the comfort of millions of Muslims and the provision of highly efficient services.
