Majid Al-Mufadhali Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – The Civil Defense has instructed that all passages between Haj camps and tents be kept open and unobstructed so that they can be used as emergency exits, said Osama Filali, chairman of the National Committee of Haj and Umrah at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Filali said the committee launched a training program for 250 employees working for Tawafa establishments. The employees were trained by Civil Defense personnel on how to ensure that proper safety protocol is being implemented inside Haj camps. “The employees were trained in Mina to acquaint themselves with the requirements of ensuring safety and security systems in Haj camps, preparation of emergency plans and the tools of building safety systems,” Filali explained. The three-month program was supervised by Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Qarni, Commander of the Civil Defense. The trainees will be stationed in Haj camps and they will work to increase safety and prevent any mishaps from occurring. Makkah Civil Defense has made it obligatory for each Haj camp to have an employee who is in charge of safety and security inside the camp to ensure that pilgrims are safe. “Domestic Haj companies have failed in the past to provide proper protection and safety to local pilgrims inside their camps. That is why the Civil Defense has decided to tackle the issue this year,” he said.
