Volunteers from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) are making preparations and organizing the Qiyam (late night) prayers at the state's Grand Mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan. KRCS volunteers annually offer special services to worshippers on this occasion, especially as the Grand Mosque and its vicinities host a large number of worshippers at this time.

Mosaed Al-Enezi, the Director of the society's Volunteers Department and Deputy Manager of its Emergency and Crisis Departments, explained that he had met with 200 volunteers of both sexes to brief them on the preparations for this occasion and ways to assist the worshippers.

Al-Enezi also said that the society has distributed brochures containing information about swine flu precautions to its volunteers, as well as holding a workshop on first-aid for them. During the last ten days of Ramadan, in coordination with the health ministry's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) section, KRCS will provide a number of ambulances and fully-equipped rescue teams who are trained to deal with a wide variety of medical emergencies.

KRCS is known for helping the elderly, those with special needs, and
worshippers generally at the Grand Mosque. It coordinates its efforts with the state's institutions, especially the Ministry of Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs. The Grand Mosque is an Islamic landmark, established over an area of 45,000 square meters and receives around 50,000 worshippers every night during the last ten days of Ramadan.

This number noticeably increases on the 27th day of Ramadan which is believed to be "Laylat Al-Qadr" - the "Night of Decree" or "Night of Measures," when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who said of it, "Whoever prays on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and sincerity shall have all their past sins forgiven." The Grand Mosque's administrative staff, in coordination with the Interior Ministry, have taken all the necessary measures in preparation for this major event.

Kuwaittimes