MAKKAH — Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is the chairman of the Central Haj Committee, chaired a meeting of the committee on Monday, its first after the end of this year's Haj season, and asked for organizing a workshop in November to discuss preparations for the next Haj season. The meeting discussed all the pros and cons registered during the just-concluded Haj season and recommended avoiding all the negative aspects during the next Haj. The prince asked the committee to further consolidate the positive aspects achieved during this year's Haj including the operation of the Mashaer train without any incidents or delays. He also said the emergency security forces, who succeeded remarkably in the management of the masses, should continue to do the same good work next year. The committee noted that the majority of the Hajis were committed to the timings and schedules of their grouping from their tents to the Mashaer train stations and the tracks leading to them. It said all the pilgrims were transported to the stations easily and safely without any incidents or unnecessary delays. The committee said the management of the masses was carefully conducted and added that the sharp drop in the number of illegal pilgrims who sneaked to Makkah and the Holy Sites without Haj permits enabled the service providers to extend the best of services to the guests of God. It said the new development projects implemented in the Holy Sites have greatly contributed to make the Haj season a resounding success. The projects included the expansion of the western side of the Jamarat area and the organization of the area between Muzdalifah and the entrants of Mina. The committee said the cut in the number of the illegal pilgrims, the easy transport, the end of the squatting and the smooth movement between Makkah and the Holy Sites were all factors, which helped make the Haj a success. "The dedicated efforts and the complete work harmony among all the government and private departments involved in the Haj services and the absence of any major accidents have contributed to enabling the pilgrims do their rites in peace, ease and comfort," the committee said in a report at the end of its meeting. The committee also recommended to prevent people with visit or business visas from doing the Haj while they are in the Kingdom.
