MAKKAH, 19 December 2007 — At different hospitals in Makkah, many sick pilgrims were afraid of being unable to go to Arafat and pray there. They were, however, provided with a medical team and equipped ambulances to carry them there.

The medical team ensured the safety of over 340 patients whose health conditions prevented them from going on their own to the holy sites, particularly to Arafat which is mandatory for all Muslims performing Haj.

Arab News talked to the pilgrims who were from different government hospitals. Ishmael Khabir underwent a heart operation while in his country, and he has had to go to hospital three times since his arrival in the Kingdom.

Khabir told Arab News that doctors had advised him not to leave the hospital and thus he was sorry for not completing his Haj. “It was a surprise for me when I was informed that a medical team would accompany me to Arafat. Thank God I could make it,” said Khabir with eyes full of tears.

Another patient, Majdi Hassan, who has suffered from diabetes for over 14 years said that he had come to the Kingdom 15 days ago and that his health was not stable. “When I was examined at the hospital, the doctors said that I had to stay there since I have gangrene in my right leg. They had to amputate it immediately,” said Hassan, adding that he thought he would not go to Arafat.

“I was extremely happy when the medical team came to tell me that I would be taken to Arafat and asked me to pray for them there,” he added.

The head of the program at Al-Nour Hospital, Dr. Hatim Al-Amri, said that the hospital had sent 70 patients to Arafat along with 20 nurses and six supervisors and that they used well-equipped vehicles.