MAKKAH — Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Banten has approved the operational plan of the Tawafa Establishment for South Asian countries for the upcoming Haj season. Through 118 field offices, the establishment is providing services to more than 420,000 pilgrims from South Asia. Chairman of the board of directors of the establishment Raafat Badr said the plan consists of a number of programs and new services that will enable the pilgrims to perform Haj rites in ease, peace and comfort. "Every year the establishment is developing its services, mobilizing all its resources and devoting its staff to provide the best services to the guests of Allah from South Asia," he said. Badr said the establishment is making full use of the modern technology to serve pilgrims. The establishment has 472 vehicles to transport pilgrims, 590 motorbikes to be used by the staff in their 24 hour work, 236 computers, 140 fixed and mobile wire devices and 118 golf carts to be used by physically challenged pilgrims. The chairman said the establishment has a number of clinics in Mina and Arafat manned by competent staff to provide medical services to its pilgrims. "We have women volunteers working with us to serve women pilgrims," he said. Meanwhile, the registration of domestic pilgrims for this year's Haj will start on the first of Dhul Qada 1437 H (Aug. 4) and will continue until Thursday Dhul Hijja 7 ( Sept. 8). The Ministry of Haj and Umrah said the registration, starting 8 a.m. will be through the ministry's e-track website localhaj.haj.gov.sa. Any cancellation of the registration after Dhul Hijja 3 (Sept. 4) will result in deductions ranging between 30 percent and 100 percent.
