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ARAFAT: The Royal Saudi Air Force’s active participation in Haj management has checked the numbers of illegal pilgrims sneaking into holy sites, said Lt. Cmdr. Abdulilah Rageh Al-Katheeri, stressing “this year we have checked their infiltration considerably.” “It is difficult to stop them completely due to technical and religious reasons,” said Al-Katheeri. “We alone cannot curb their movement completely, the media as well as nongovernmental organizations have to play their part in organizing a proper awareness campaign to tackle this issue.” One of the main reasons that the number of illegal pilgrims has reduced considerably this year is that the air force is keeping a 24-hour surveillance on all the roads that lead to the holy sites, said Al-Katheeri. “During our surveillance we keep a watch on the movement of people who smuggle illegal pilgrims into the holy sites for Haj. The moment we notice any such activity we inform our ground support personnel who immediately intercept them,” said Al-Katheeri, the man in charge of the air operation at Arafat Airfield of King Fahd Air Base. He said: “Today’s (Thursday’s) pilgrims movement from Mina to Arafat was extraordinarily smooth and hassle-free. All the pilgrims were on the plains of Arafat by 10 a.m. which is exemplary.” “We keep a constant watch on pilgrims’ movement from Makkah to Mina then their trek to Arafat and back. When we spot congestion in any street we pass on the information to ground personnel who take immediate steps,” he added. The Royal Saudi Air Force works in close coordination with other Haj-related departments and ministries. He said that their operation area stretches from holy sites, starting from Arafat, Jabal Al-Rahmah, Muzdalifah, Mina and the Haram. “For us pilgrim safety is of utmost importance. We continuously coordinate with other government agencies on a regular basis to work out a fool-proof strategy for a safe Haj,” Al-Katheeri said. Talking about their preparation for Haj, Al-Katheeri, who took charge at the air base after last Haj, said the preparation starts much before the Haj season. “The preparation for the Haj operation is a round-the-year process, but actual ground preparations begin three or four months before Haj and we start flying regular sorties from the 1st of Dul Hijjah,” he said. Though Al-Katheeri did not give out the number of helicopters used in the Haj operation, this year eight helicopters were seen flying sorties at regular intervals. Last year there were five helicopters in service. The air force’s fully equipped air ambulance is also available 24 hours a day to provide immediate medical care to ailing pilgrims and to respond to any emergencies. “There is a specialist doctor in attendance. The air ambulance is the first of its type fitted with sophisticated equipment,” Al-Katheeri said. “As far as our commitment and dedication to Haj service is concerned let me tell you that all our officers are always keen to be assigned to this job. Everybody wants to serve the guests of Allah. And it is this feeling that helps us in providing the best services to pilgrims.” A helicopter of the Royal Saudi Air Force took Arab News on a survey of Arafat, its surrounding areas, Mina and finally over the Holy Haram in Makkah. The helicopter, took us first to Arafat, which, at first glance, looked like a huge white blanket that had covered the whole of the area. The sight of the faithful moving toward Mount Arafat looked as though a river of milk was passing through the plains of Arafat. The place where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had delivered his last sermon was dotted with pilgrims. After flying for about 30 minutes over Arafat, the helicopter took us to Mina -- the tent city that was abuzz with activity a day earlier wore a deserted look on Thursday. |
