JEDDAH, 8 January 2004 — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday led the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba ahead of Haj as thousands of pilgrims lined up inside the Grand Mosque to watch the ritual.
“It’s the happiest day in my life,” the governor told reporters after washing the holiest place of worship with zamzam and rosewater.
Prince Abdul Majeed said the government was committed to provide the best possible services to the guests of God who come for Haj and Umrah. “We have made all-out preparations to receive the delegations of pilgrims from different parts of the world.
He said this year’s Haj plan was devised taking into account last year’s shortcomings and would now offer the most advanced services to pilgrims.
“We consider the service to the guests of God as a great privilege,” the governor said and urged Muslims to stand united in the face of challenges.
The Holy Kaaba is washed twice a year — to mark the beginning of Ramadan and Haj. Top officials including Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy and diplomats from Muslim countries attended the ceremony.
Pakistan’s Applause
Shahid Khan, head of Pakistan’s Haj Directorate, has commended Saudi Arabia’s services for pilgrims. “The Kingdom has carried out enormous projects in Makkah, Madinah and other holy sites for the welfare and security of pilgrims,” he said.
Khan made the comment while meeting with Adnan Muhammad Kateb, chairman of the Tawafa Organization for South Asian Pilgrims, and senior officials of the organization. Khan noted Pakistan’s efforts to enhance the Haj awareness of its pilgrims.
Islamic Awareness
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Propagation and Guidance has decided to deploy 730 scholars including university professors at the holy sites during the Haj season to provide guidance to pilgrims.
It will also appoint 150 translators to help pilgrims from different parts of the world, a press statement said.
Translators will be available in English, French, Turkish, Persian, Indonesian, Bengali, Urdu and Swahili.
The ministry has established 59 centers at meeqat where pilgrims wear ihram, entry points and historical mosques such as the Quba Mosque in order to enlighten the pilgrims on different aspects of Haj and Islam.
Umrah Firms Fined
Some 150 Saudi Umrah companies have been fined a total of SR810 million for allowing 270,000 pilgrims to overstay in the Kingdom after expiry of their Umrah visas, said Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Sajeeni, director general of the Passports Department. “People who have come for Umrah will not be allowed to extend their visas for Haj,” Okaz daily quoted Sajeeni as saying.
