Saudi authorities have offered free luggage storage service to pilgrims at the Grand Mosque of Makkah. The facility will be provided to pilgrims entering the mosque for Umrah, a minor pilgrimage.
The Saudi General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has designated two locations for his service in the Courtyards of the Grand Mosque. These locations are situated in the eastern courtyard next to the Mecca Library and the western courtyard.
The agency has outlined rules for the pilgrims to follow to avail of the service. These include presenting the Umrah permit issued via the Nusuk app. Additionally, the stored luggage must not contain prohibited materials or valuables.
The storage period is limited to a maximum of four hours with only bags allowed. Storage of food and medicines is not allowed. A claim ticket is required for retrieval.
The authority plans to expand the service to cover all areas around the Grand Mosque to further assist visitors.
In a separate news, Saudi Arabia has also announced to ban alcohol in the stadiums during the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has won the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2034.
Read more: Saudi Arabia to ban sales of alcohol during football World Cup 2034
While FIFA has not released an official statement, senior FIFA officials have said fans will not be allowed to buy or consume alcohol when the FIFA World Cup takes place in 2034. Unlike in many other Muslim countries, alcohol sales remain prohibited even in luxury hotels in Saudi Arabia.
Alcohol sale was banned in the country by King Ibn Saud in 1952. FIFA said it learned a lesson two years ago when Qatar was pressured to accept sales to beer sales in stadiums only for the ruling Al-Thani family to put their foot down and scrap the plan two days before the tournament started.
In early 2022, special zones were due to be designated specifically for fans to consume alcoholic beverages at the Qatar World Cup. Months later it allowed fans to bring alcohol to the stadium instead. However, two days before the tournament, Qatar scrapped the decision instead.