Sami Al-Maghamsi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH – All government authorities entrusted with providing services to pilgrims have finalized their plans and are ready. Prince Faisal Bin Salman, Emir of Madinah and Chairman of Haj Committee in Madinah, will follow up on the progress and performance of all authorities to ensure everything is going according to plan and that pilgrims are served well during their stay in Madinah. As of Saturday 600,000 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom. Half of them arrived in Makkah while the rest arrived in Madinah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Haj for Haj Affairs Hatim Hassan Qadhi said. He said that the Ministry of Haj and Tawafa establishments under it have mobilized 40,000 people to serve pilgrims. He said all the Tawafa establishments have received their camp sites in the holy sites. They are now preparing them to receive the pilgrims. Qadhi said that Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah received on Friday more than 96 international Haj flights while the international Haj flights at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah exceeded 100. The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has assigned 5,300 male and female employees to cater to the needs of pilgrims. The Presidency will provide guides in several languages and organize religious lessons at the Prophet's Mosque to allow pilgrims from all walks of life to benefit and learn about the rituals of Haj. This year guides will distribute pamphlets and booklets in various languages. In a published report, the Presidency said that it has prepared 250 shaded areas to protect the pilgrims from the sun or rain. In addition, 436 mist spraying fans are installed, and 100 speakers put up around the outside yards of the Prophet's Mosque. The Mosque has been furnished with 10,000 new carpets, and the courtyards are equipped with 18 service facilities, and 10,000 lighting fixtures. The head of Madinah police, Maj. Gen. Saud Al-Ahmadi, said that the police had benefited from the lessons of previous years to develop and improve plans for this year's Haj season. He said that these plans will be effective until the middle of the first month of next year. Madinah police spokesman and head of the traffic safety section Col. Omar Al-Nazawi said that 225 traffic patrol vehicles and 500 motorcycle cops are ready for the season. In addition, more than 900 additional traffic officers are working on the implementation of the Haj traffic plan. Head of the Ministry of Haj branch in Madinah Mohammad Al-Beejawi said that 7,321 accommodation contracts have been signed so far to cater to 644,177 Hajis. Twenty golf carts have been pressed into service to transport elderly pilgrims around and 300 male employees will be on call to help pilgrims who lose way to their accommodation. For female pilgrims, there are female guides and supervisors who can guide them around and help them. The Presidency has opened 100 gates and prepared all escalators leading to the roof. At each gate, there are employees to prevent crowding.
