MAKKAH – Makkah Emir and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Thursday announced that 15,000 pilgrims without permits were stopped at various checkpoints and turned back. Speaking after an inspection of the meet at Qarn Al-Manazil in Al-Sail Al-Kaeer area, Prince Khaled said 63 fake Haj companies have been busted so far, the latest case found in Dammam with 150 violators. He added that 55 people were arrested for transporting illegal pilgrims and 12,200 vehicles were turned back. Meanwhile, the police in the Eastern Province arrested 47 people. Of these, 24 were expatriates working in 30 fake Haj offices – 14 offices in Al-Ahsa, five in Dammam, eight in Hafr Al-Batin, three in Al-Khobar and one office in Jubail. A total of SR90,000 cash was seized from them. Scouts at holy sites About 4,500 scouts are being imparted regular training to make them ready to help pilgrims who get lost in Mina and Arafat find their way to their camps, a senior official said here on Thursday. Dr. Salih Al-Harbi, head of the scout camps run by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association (SASA), said scouts have been paying daily trips to the ritual sites to familiarize themselves with the places. Meanwhile, Saudi Red Crescent Society responded Thursday to 519 calls for help, of which 244 were made by pilgrims. Over 192 cases were rushed to the hospital while the remaining cases were treated on site. Some of the cases included patients with stomach problems, fatigue, fainting, poisoning, diabetes and fractures due to accidents. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health's information and awareness center has called upon all pilgrims to make use of important nutrients in order to sustain the physical demands of Haj and reduce health risks associated with the arduous pilgrimage. Labor offices, Passports Dept. to work during Eid All labor offices in the Kingdom will continue to work during Eid holidays, the ministry has said. A large number of expatriates are expected to throng the labor offices during the Haj break as the amnesty to correct the residency status is drawing near. The Ministry of Labor has also started reminding the citizens and expatriates to expedite their work before the amnesty ends on Nov. 3. The Passports Department will also provide services during the Eid holidays. The department spokesman, Lt. Col. Ahmad Al-Lehaidan, said only emergency cases will be handled during the break.
