I was impressed to hear the minister of Haj saying on TV that this year’s Haj was successful and that the overall performance of the departments involved was more than satisfactory. This is good news as it is the Kingdom’s aim to improve the services rendered to the guests of God. In addition, as the Haj rites take place with increasing numbers of pilgrims every year, it is imperative that the Ministry of Haj evaluate its performance on a regular basis — especially for those pilgrims that travel to the Kingdom by sea should receive special attention taking into account the shortcomings in the ports.

This is important because the parties serving pilgrims traveling by sea are numerous and these entities must adopt a mechanism in dealing with humans that differs from those established for dealing with goods or merchandise. The minister went on to say that the problem to be addressed is the large number of private firms involved in coordinating travel, reception, transportation and accommodation for foreign pilgrims. He is right to a large extent because not all the parties involved are honest in their dealings with pilgrims and there are quite a few who fail to honor their obligations. This kind of behavior not only gives us a bad image since we are responsible for the entire operation but they also lead to a negative economic impact. There ought to be much closer control over the issuing of licenses to these private firms in order to guarantee acceptable standards of service and cost.

I believe that the task of evaluating the outcome of the pilgrimage should be given to a non-governmental entity. An independent evaluation would conduct the evaluation better and without pressure. The ministry could then have a clear and unbiased view of the shortcomings and initiate effective remedies for them.

In addition, it is necessary to reconsider the role of the media during the Haj season. It has been customary for a long time for TV and radio crews to take their places on a secluded balcony or in a broadcast center, discussing various topics and interviewing officials. However, the media should mobilize its crews and deploy them in the field in order to keep abreast of pilgrims’ experiences. They should move with the pilgrims, step by step, and note shortcomings or lack of proper plans and report them immediately. This would also help other government entities involved in the pilgrimage to see how they are doing and alter plans if necessary.

It is regrettable to watch a long TV program full of familiar faces and public figures while the need is to shoot live footage of the Haj in progress. I am not revealing a secret when I say that we are not using the media and the means that we possess in the best and most professional manner.

Elsewhere international news stations have shot to fame, reporting on current events, informing and educating their viewers. Our own media should follow this example, so they can present current affairs from a Saudi viewpoint. The media’s role during Haj should be to report on matters and issues of concern to pilgrims, to accompany them as they move from place to place and to enlighten them, if need be, about the Haj in general.

This could be done since what has been filmed could be replayed as many times as needed so that pilgrims could watch and learn. Even more important is the coordination needed between all entities involved, minimizing corruption and mistreatment of pilgrims by licensed firms who deal with the guests of God from abroad.