16 sick pilgrims in Arafat on stretchers By Ahmad Al-Amoudi HOLY SITES – American national Hafizah Mohib Allah, 42, cried and did not believe her eyes when she found that she was being carried on a stretcher from a Madina hospital to Arafat. Authorities carried the woman – part of 16 sick patients in the convoy – in an ambulance to Arafat to enable her complete her rituals. Dr. Jameel Bin Hamza, Director of medical services at Arafat General Hospital, said his unit had four Egyptians, two Bangladeshis, and one patient each from Sri Lanka, India, United States, Syria, Chad, Oman, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sudan and Pakistan. – Okaz/SG 50 pickpockets arrested By Majid Al-Mafdhali MAKKAH – Fifty pickpockets were arrested in the holy sites, Brig. Khidr Al-Zahrani, commander of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Haj, said on Sunday. Al-Zahrani said plainclothes policemen deployed in crowded areas were able to catch the culprits at various places. A large number of privates also helped the policemen in nabbing them, he said. – Okaz/SG 6 buildings closed down in Makkah MAKKAH – The Pilgrims Housing Inspection Committee here has closed down six buildings found unfit for housing pilgrims. Fines have also been imposed on owners of these buildings. Pilgrims of different nationalities staying in the buildings were shifted to other places, Eng. Zuhair Bin Makki Haddad, chairman of the committee said. – Okaz/SG Infrared cameras installed at borders By Ma'touq Al-Shareef JEDDAH – With about 1,000 personnel from Border Guards on Haj duty, security control at borders has been stepped up, Major Salim Al-Sulami, Border Guards spokesman said. He said the administration has allocated seven cars equipped with infrared cameras for night monitoring and 221 well-equipped vehicles with weapons. Besides several ambulances have also been provided to deal with any emergency situation, he said. – Okaz/SG 117 families of of martyrs performing Haj ARAFAT – In line with directives of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee and his deputy Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz, 117 families of the martyrs are performing Haj at the ministry's expense. Brigadier Ibrahim Bin Muhammad Al-Mohrij, Director General of Military Affairs in the ministry said five members were allowed from each family. The family members of the martyrs expressed their thanks and appreciation to the government for its generosity, kindness and caring gesture.
