MAKKAH — Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and chairman of the Central Haj Committee, on Monday launched the annual "Haj is Worship and Civilized Behavior." campaign. This year the campaign's theme is: "Haj is a message of peace." The campaign, in its eighth version, is aimed at enlightening the pilgrims and residents on the true spirit of the pilgrimage which is worshiping Almighty Allah while at the same time behaving ethically during the entire Haj season. The campaign also aims to ensure that pilgrims are provided the best possible services from the time of their arrival and departure from the Kingdom. Hisham Al-Faleh, chairman of the executive committee in charge of the Haj preparations, said the campaign consists of five stages and has, since it was launched about eight years ago, has made several tangible results. He said in its first stage, the campaign will focus on glorifying Makkah, increasing awareness about the sanctity of Saudi Arabia and acknowledging the sacredness of the holy sites. "At this stage the campaign will target the general public and the visitors of the Grand Mosque," he added. In its second phase, the campaign will target the Makkah residents and the people working for the Haj to receive the Guests of God nicely and according them complete hospitality. He said the third phase will put emphasis on the importance of obtaining the Haj permit and explain to the citizens and expatriates why it was important for the Haj and the consequences that people who are not carrying it may face. "The fourth stage will highlight the negative aspects and their avoidance by the pilgrims. may commit during the Haj," he explained. He said in its fifth and final stage, the campaign will educate the pilgrims against illegal and disruptive behavior including performing Haj without a license, sleeping in the open and blocking passageways and roads, he said. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has started its thorough medical examination of the pilgrims on arrival at the air, sea and land inlets to prevent the spread of any contagious diseases such as the yellow fever, coronavirus, Zika, meningitis and others. After examination, the ministry will quarantine pilgrims with infectious diseases and will vaccinate the others. The ministry has established a medical examination center at the Jeddah Islamic Seaport which is manned by 97 medical experts including 18 women. On the other hand, the General Syndicate of Cars has obtained 22,300 recruitment visas from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to hire drivers from abroad to transport about 1.5 million pilgrims. The syndicate took the initiative after noticing that the young Saudi men are not enthusiastic to work as bus drivers during the Haj.
