The Two Holy Mosques provide heat relief to worshipers

Unlike what is expected during hot afternoons, the grounds of the Mecca Grand Mosque dampen the feet of worshipers who circumambulate around the Kaaba even when the temperature is at its highest in the middle of a sizzling summer day.

“All the tiles in prayer spaces are directed towards the prayer direction of qibla. Each tile can accommodate an entire line of worshipers. One tile is 120 centimeters long and 60 centimeters wide. Tiles are separated by lines in order to help in the organization of prayer lines,” said Abdul Mohsin bin Hamid- Head of studies and projects at the Prophet's mosque.

The tiles of the Medina Mosque also offer a cool comforting sensation for the feet of worshipers unlike how hot it might appear to be.

Tiles used in the Mecca and Medina mosques come from Greece in the form of blocs that are locally carved and manufactured.

“The floor of the Medina Mosque is covered with tiles of premium quality. The granite that covers the space around the mosque is also of premium quality. In addition, the roof of the mosque and the area surrounding its gates are covered with a type of marble called Thasos and which is by nature cool and is not affected by the heat of the sun in any of the seasons and no matter how high the temperature could be. It always remains cool,” said Abdul Wahid al Hattab- Director of public relations and media in the general administration of the Prophet's mosque.

The attention given to the type and quality of the marble on which worshipers walk demonstrates the amount of care given to the two mosques in general.