Khaled Al-Faisal launches Hajj awareness drive
Badea Abu Al-Naja | Arab News
MAKKAH: The government announced here yesterday that it would take tough action against pilgrims who try to enter Makkah and other holy places without Haj permits.
“There is a legal system to perform Haj and people should know that being a pilgrim is not an excuse to violate regulations and cause problems to others,” said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
He was speaking at the launch of a media campaign aimed at enlightening Saudis and expatriate workers on the need to follow Haj regulations. Entitled “Haj Is Worship and Civilized Behavior,” the campaign has been organized by the Makkah Governorate in association with the Ministry of Haj, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Information, Public Security Department and the Passport Department.
Prince Khaled highlighted the government’s efforts to manage the annual pilgrimage and the huge amounts it spends on Haj-related arrangements. “The activities of some people in violation of regulations upsets the whole system, causing problems to legal pilgrims. I would like to emphasize the government’s resolve to prevent negative practices during Haj,” the governor said.
“Violators of Haj regulations and overstayers will be arrested and deported immediately. This measure will be carried out throughout the year, not only during Haj. We will intensify the campaign during Haj as we know that there are many people who overstay for this purpose.”
He added: “This campaign has been organized to create greater awareness of the concept of legal Haj in the minds of the public.”
The governor cautioned prospective pilgrims against making agreements with dubious Haj service firms and taking unauthorized vehicles to the holy sites, adding that tough action would be taken against companies that cheat pilgrims.
Prince Khaled urged all related departments and agencies to efficiently manage the pilgrimage to create a good impression in the minds of pilgrims and enhance the Kingdom’s global reputation.
Haj is an Islamic duty that is compulsory only once for Muslims who are physically fit and financially sound. But many Muslims, especially those in the Kingdom, repeat Haj several times, causing unnecessary congestion in the holy sites by squatting in public places and walkways.
Thousands of Saudis and expatriates perform Haj every year without obtaining Haj permits and without contracting with Haj service agents. They sleep in public places, especially in the pedestrian path between Mina and Muzdalifah, and around the stoning area of Jamrat in Mina.
Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy stressed his ministry’s efforts to improve Haj services year after year.
2008 Hajj News Story 11/06/2008 Hajj preparations unveiled
Chief of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Mosques Salih bin Abd-ur-Rahman Al-Hussein has announced a comprehensive plan to improve facilities for Hajj participants, the Saudi Gazette reported today. Three million pilgrims are expected to take part in the pilgrimage this year.
The new plan calls for greater security, more convenient transportation, a constant supply of water and the availability of hygiene facilities for worshippers at the Grand Mosque. Thousands of booklets in several languages have been distributed to enlighten pilgrims on the correct rituals for the Hajj.
A staff of 6,085 people, including 1,756 regular employees, 1,800 temporary employees and 2,500 skilled workers have been utilized to offer general and technical advice, as well as cultural and educational services. A labor force of 3,000 people has been tasked with keeping the Grand Mosque clean.
Measures have been put in place to help the disabled, including the availability 100,000 of wheelchairs and 8 electric escalators.
The security force around the ground mosque will more than double, with a security force of 700 guarding all entrances. Entryways and exits are being closely monitored by guards and cameras in order to avoid suffocation and overcrowding.
The Kingdom is spending billions of dollars to assure pilgrims of a peaceful Hajj, noted Al Hussein.
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