JEDDAH, 8 July — The Supreme Haj Committee met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Prince Naif and discussed a viable mechanism for making comprehensive assessment of Haj services rendered by various government and private agencies.
A press statement issued after the meeting said such a mechanism was necessary to underscore the plus points and avoid the drawbacks in line with the government’s efforts to improve the quality and methods of services being extended to the guests of God.
The meeting was attended by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, Madinah Governor Prince Muqrin, Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi, Information Minister Dr. Fuad Al-Farsi, Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Jarallah, Communications Minister Dr. Nasir Al-Salloum, Acting Haj Minister and Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed, and Planning Minister and Acting PTT Minister Khaled Al-Gosaibi.
Addressing the meeting, Prince Naif highlighted the government’s efforts to help the pilgrims perform their religious duties in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
More than two million pilgrims, including about 800,000 from the Kingdom, perform Haj every year.
He said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, have praised the efforts made by the concerned agencies last year to make the annual pilgrimage operation a success.
Prince Naif emphasized the significance of a mechanism to assess the performance of various government departments and agencies during the Haj season to further improve the services. The committee would meet again to set out plans for the upcoming Haj season.
Iranian Umrah pilgrims
In a related development, Al-Mawadda Umrah company in the Kingdom and an Iranian company yesterday signed an agreement on Umrah trips. The Iranian Radio said the first batch of Iranian pilgrims would leave for Umrah by the end of this week. Iran Air’s office in Jeddah said the airline would operate 45 flights weekly from Iranian airports to Jeddah to transport the pilgrims.
Also yesterday, the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs started implementing the new Umrah system introduced by Saudi Arabia as the ministry sent instructions to companies and travel agents operating Umrah trips, urging them to deal with licensed Saudi Umrah firms.
The Egyptian agents were also told to get contracts for housing and other services in the Kingdom.
