Toilets are an essential part of human life, especially in public places like terminals, stations, airports, and mosques.
Today, let’s take a closer look at the toilets in two of the most visited mosques in the world: Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The architecture of the toilets in these two holy cities is quite similar.
The toilets in both mosque complexes are located underground. To access them, you need to go down stairs or use escalators. The escalators are positioned on the right and left sides – the right for descending and the left for ascending or exiting the toilets. In the middle, there are stairs for those who prefer to walk.
The toilets in Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Nabawi are completely separated by gender. This separation isn’t just by partition or different entryways; the buildings themselves are separate.
Given the high volume of visitors, especially during peak times like the Hajj season in Zulhijah, the Saudi government has ensured an ample number of toilets. There are no fewer than 630 toilet stalls available for use.
What about the facilities for ablution (wudu) in these massive mosque complexes?
Standard amenities are provided at the ablution stations, including hand soap, seating for washing, and fans. There are a total of 360 water taps for ablution.
Maintaining cleanliness in such large and heavily used toilet complexes is no small feat. It isn’t just about using manual mops; there are floor cleaning machines and over twenty cleaning staff dedicated to keeping the facilities spotless.
Lastly, a tip for using these toilets: avoid the lines at the front toilets. There are often many available toilets further inside, in the middle or back, which are also generally cleaner.