Hundreds of barbers have been organized to cut the hair of at least two million pilgrims after the stoning at the Jamarat in preparation for Al-Tahallul Al-Asghar. A total of 100 young Saudi barbers from all parts of the Kingdom are also involved in trimming or shaving the heads of pilgrims. The Makkah Mayoralty has provided chairs for 1,166 barbers at the world's largest religious gathering. The barbers are at 22 locations in Mina and are ready for Al-Nahr Day (Slaughtering Day). Dr. Osama Fadhl Al-Bar, Mayor of Makkah, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that 300 square meters have been set aside for hair salons staffed by Saudi students of the College of Technology. The remaining haircutting area has been offered for investment. Al-Bar pointed out that 16 locations are in the Jamarat area while six others are in different parts of Mina. He said the mayoralty is running a health campaign for the fourth consecutive year which calls on barbers to use their own tools. He said about 100,000 bags, each containing a shaving brush, single-use blades and a comb, are being sold for between SR3 and SR5 at various locations in Mina. In addition, there are sales outlets and mobile stalls selling these bags at the Jamarat Bridge. Al-Bar said the health campaign is to prevent the spread of diseases. Barbers are told not to reuse disposable blades. He said the mayoralty is using students of the Health College as health supervisors. There are 100 Saudi students and 250 health supervisors in Mina. Of this total, 100 supervisors have been seconded by the Ministry of Health and the Kingdom's mayoralties to ensure strict monitoring of barbers working during Haj. He said penalties for violations include fines. He said the mayoralty gives barbers in Mina and Makkah health certificates to prove they are free from communicable and contagious diseases. Al-Bar said the Ministry of Health takes random blood samples from barbers to determine if they have any diseases. Al-Bar disclosed that Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, has ordered that health committees oversee the health of pilgrims. Dr. Muhammad Abdul Rahman Halawani, Director of the Administration for Combatting Contagion and Central Sterilization and Medical Waste Program at Jeddah Health Affairs, said there are not enough barbers to handle the number of pilgrims. “If we assume that it takes five minutes to shave a pilgrim's head, a simple mathematical calculation will show that 12 heads can be shaved per hour. Therefore, each barber can shave the heads of 120 pilgrims by working continuously for 10 hours. This means 1,166 barbers can shave the heads of 140,000 pilgrims in 10 hours. Now consider that there are 1.5 million pilgrims who want their hair cut or shaved.” Engineer Hisham Sheli, Director of Investment at the Makkah Mayoralty, said the mayoralty wants to provide more chairs for barbers, but it is restricted by the limited area in Mina especially around the Jamarat Bridge. __
