Saudi Made Extensive Preparations For Haj
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Arab News: Prince Naif, who is chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, inspected Haj facilities and arrangements in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah on the instructions of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan to ensure they were up to standard for this year’s haj.
More than 1.64 million pilgrims from different parts of the Islamic world performed haj this year. According to Maj. Gen. Salim Al-Belaihed, director of the passports department, 1.49 million pilgrims came by air, 133,635 by land and 24,039 by sea.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinehjad was among the pilgrims. He came on an invitation from King Abdullah.
“We did not make any extraordinary security arrangements because of the president’s presence,” the minister said, while answering a question put forward by a foreign journalist.
Prince Naif also criticized those who tried to perform Haj without official permits, saying such pilgrimages are unacceptable in light of Shariah. He further called on Islamic countries to discourage their citizens from performing Haj illegally.
Prince Naif said Saudi security forces took measures to avoid accidents at the Jamrat in Mina. Another floor to the bridge this year smoothed the flow of pilgrims and facilitated the stoning ritual.
The prince emphasised that the Kingdom has nothing to do with the increase in Haj expenses being suffered by some foreign pilgrims. “It may caused by rise in international prices.” He said the government has appointed agencies to monitor those who increase prices during Haj in the Kingdom, without any reasons.
“We will not allow anybody to exploit pilgrims. We consider serving the guests of God as a great honor and we reject any move that causes harm to them,” he added. He said the government has taken into consideration the growing number of pilgrims every year.
The Health Ministry said reported that the overall health condition of pilgrims was satisfactory, adding that no contagious diseases had been reported. Hospitals and health centers in Makkah provided health services to 54,499 pilgrims during this Haj season.
King Abdullah commended Al-Manie and the entire staff of the Health Ministry for their contributions to improve health services to pilgrims.
Dr. Habeeb Zain Al-Abidine, deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs and supervisor of development projects, said his ministry had carried out new projects worth SR1 billion in the holy sites this year for the welfare of pilgrims.
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Jeddah Hosts Islamic Tourism Forum
Under the patronage of HRH Prince Naif Bin AbdulAziz, Minister of Interior, Chairman of Saudi Supreme Commission of Tourism in Saudi Arabia. The 1st Islamic Tourism Forum will be held in Jeddah City a (25/10/2007)
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