The Ministry of Haj has taken the necessary measures to track down fake companies that promote Haj groups, and to monitor domestic pilgrim groups and the related authorities. Dr. Fouad Bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsy, Minister of Haj, repeated his warning against bogus campaigns. He said governorates, mayoralties, the Ministry of Haj and the Control and Investigations Board monitor these companies through supervisory committees. Dr. Al-Farsy said his ministry has provided the governorates and municipalities with the names and numbers of establishments licensed for this year's Haj. He said the Haj campaign launched by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, two days ago under the motto of “Haj is Worship and Civilized Behavior” has pinpointed the problems which should be dealt with, in particular the phenomenon of sleeping in the open in Makkah and Holy Sites and the cases of those performing Haj without a permit. “The workshops which the ministry organizes are basically meant to improve the quality of service, as training is the base for improvement,” Al-Farsy added. Citing an example he said: “In the past a bus used to take four hours from the time it entered the station to its departure but this has changed now and the whole process takes five to six minutes thanks to training and the introduction of modern technology.” “The ministry gives attention to training because it is the only way to enable our staff to upgrade their skills and cope with the latest developments in the field,” he said. The minister said he has personally endorsed all operational plans related to the ministry and Tawafa establishments. He said the ministry has allocated the toll-free number, 8002444480, to receive complaints from citizens and expatriates and to answer their queries. Meanwhile, 250,000 pilgrims are expected to perform Friday prayer in the Prophet's Mosque, 24 days before the standing in Arafat. The Prophet's City is receiving convoys of pilgrims every day. Okaz/Saudi Gazette Thursday inspected Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport management's preparation at two additional terminals which started operations this Haj season. Over 25,000 administrative and field personnel have been mobilized to carry out this year's plans for the Haj season with follow up by Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed, Emir of Madina region. A report issued by the Haj Committee said that 129,965 pilgrims had arrived in Madina by Wednesday. __
