TEHRAN, 31 January 2003 — Daghestani pilgrims have begun to arrive in Iran on their way to Saudi Arabia. The Iranian News Agency said that more than 1,500 pilgrims from Daghestan and 500 from Azerbaijan will cross the Iranian border on their way to Makkah this year to perform Haj. (SPA)
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Enlightenment service
JEDDAH, 31 January 2003 — A mobile enlightenment service has been introduced for the benefit of pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah. As part of the innovative service, introduced by Amn and Ietiman Company in association with the Ministry of Haj, audio cassettes in different lanuguaes such as English, Farsi, Urdu, Burmese, Malay and Bengali are distributed to pilgrims on board their buses. The cassettes contain vital information about Haj rites by Saudi broadcaster Dr. Hussein Najjar. “The tape is run as soon as the bus starts from the Haj Terminal,” said Abdul Aziz Hawsawi, executive manager of the company. “Seven thousand copies of the audio program have been made available to cover all destinations of buses originating at the Haj Terminal,” he added. The company recently sent 1,500 trained Saudi instructors to Al Johfa area, the Ihram point about 90 kms from Jeddah to receive and direct pilgrims arriving by bus.
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New board set up
JEDDAH, 31 January 2003 — The Makkah-based Tawafa Organization for South Asian Pßßilgrims has formed a new administrative board for the new Hijrah year. Adnan Kateb, chairman of the new board, noted that the organization planned to expand its services by building on its technological advantages and infrastructure. The organization has 65 service offices in Makkah and is linked with many pilgrim centers located at the ports and other entry points.
—Mohannad Sharawi
