pt plan to upgrade services for pilgrims By Khalid Al-Shallahi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINA — The Agency for Umrah Services in the Ministry of Haj has chalked out a 34-point strategy for the Umrah season this year. The plan will be launched on Rabi Al-Awwal 1, (Jan. 25). The agency has called upon Tawafa establishments to strictly implement the evaluated and approved plan. The agency's plan has a package of services focusing on upgrading the standard of services including receiving Umrah pilgrims at the entry points, specified seaports and airports, transportation, accommodation and their departure. They also include securing the means of transport. The agency has stressed that Umrah pilgrims should not be kept waiting in buses for more than 30 minutes. The agency has repeated its warning to Umrah pilgrims not to squat or sleep at airport lounges or on the floor of hotels and residential buildings allocated to accommodate them. T he agency stressed the importance of ensuring the residences are clean. These facilities should be licensed and approved and included in the ministry's database prior to accommodating Umrah pilgrims in Makkah, Madina and Jeddah. The agency said companies were responsible for creating awareness among Umrah pilgrims on the necessity to return to their homeland after the end of the Umrah program and not to overstay so that they are not liable to penalties according to the laws and regulations. __
