Governance of Iftar meals in the Two Holy Mosques: Details of the Ramadan 1447 charity phase
Engineer Ghazi bin Dhafer Al-Shahrani, CEO of the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, announced the launch of a new and improved phase of the food service program at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, dubbed the "Phase of Excellence," in preparation for Ramadan 1447 AH. This initiative reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to enhancing services for pilgrims and ensuring that iftar meals are provided in a manner befitting the sanctity of the place and the spirituality of the time.
From individual effort to organized institutional work
Historically, providing iftar meals at the Two Holy Mosques relied heavily on individual efforts and sporadic charitable initiatives. While these efforts were commendable, the organizational and operational challenges necessitated a comprehensive solution to accommodate the millions of pilgrims and worshippers. This comprehensive governance framework aims to transform the food distribution process from potentially haphazard to a precise institutional system that guarantees the highest standards of quality and food safety, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to enhance the experience of pilgrims.
Performance measurement results: the basis for development
Al-Shahrani explained that the Authority did not base its plans on mere speculation, but rather on thorough field studies conducted during Ramadan 1446 AH, in cooperation with the non-profit sector, represented by the Badel Foundation. The study included assessing the experience of 10,000 fasting individuals, with an overall satisfaction rate of 85%. This study revealed 62 areas for improvement, from which 69 development ideas were derived, culminating in the launch of six key initiatives to address operational challenges.
The three pillars of governance for the 1447 AH season
The new strategy is based on three key pillars that ensure service integration:
- First: Developing nutritional components: Cooperation was made with major food companies to ensure the quality of the meals, which will include premium dates, dried fruits, protein sources such as nuts, healthy fats, and baked goods, with the meals divided into three nutritionally balanced categories to meet the health needs of fasting people.
- Second: Logistical and operational organization: The prayer areas have been converted into specific operational zones, each of which is assigned to approved companies, with precise plans for the movement of transport vehicles, and specific times for spreading out and removing prayer mats, which ensures smooth movement, maintains the cleanliness of the Two Holy Mosques, and manages waste with high efficiency.
- Third: Donation Governance and Transparency: To ensure that donors’ funds reach their beneficiaries, the donation process has been restricted to the “Ihsan” digital platform, under the supervision of the “Nusk” and “Badel” foundations, which enhances transparency and reliability in the financial process from donation to implementation.
Expected outcome: A holistic spiritual experience
These measures are expected to improve the overall atmosphere within the Two Holy Mosques, reduce food waste, and provide a more tranquil and reverent environment for worshippers, as those fasting will not be distracted by crowded distribution points or varying meal quality. Al-Shahrani concluded his statement by praying for the benefactors and asking God to perpetuate the Kingdom's security and stability in its service to Islam and Muslims.
