ARAFAT, 1 February 2004 — This year’s Haj may well be one of the smoothest and most trouble-free in recent years. Most of the pilgrims who traveled from distant lands were all praise for the arrangements here. But two factors, inadequate transport arrangements and lack of directions on the streets of Arafat, did inconvenience them.

Early in the morning, a group of pilgrims was seen walking to Arafat from Mina — a distance of some nine kilometers.

Many pilgrims complained that they had to wait for hours for buses to come and when they realized that they were getting delayed and might fail to reach Arafat at the assigned time, they decided to walk.

Entire contingents from several countries were forced to walk to Arafat. Although the scene of thousands and thousands of people chanting talbiyah was inspiring, one could understand the pain and trouble experienced by those who were forced to walk. Transport organizers said that there was no shortage of buses.

“Our fleet was held up in traffic jams,” said one official.

Once pilgrims reached Arafat they faced yet another problem — lack of directions. Dozens were seen at the Lost Pilgrim Center. The boy scouts had a difficult time helping the worshipers reach correct destinations. The entire Arafat area is stretched over nine streets. Not a single street is marked with a street name or directions to the camps — unlike Mina where each area is properly marked and after every junction, there is a map with glowing signs pointing out different locations in the tent city.

Many pilgrims phoned their friends and family members on mobile telephones but were unable to give proper direction of their whereabouts.

“It’s all very confusing. Every street looks so similar and there are no street names and no proper directions. On top of that, the police officials are unable to help us since they themselves don’t know correct locations and street names,” said Abdul Rauf, a lost Pakistani pilgrim who sought my help.

The lost pilgrims provided good business for roadside vendors.

Many lost pilgrims who failed to reach their camps at lunchtime preferred to eat at the roadside food stalls which were selling kabsa, bread and fruit.

Sadly, these vendors were exploiting the situation, selling meals at exorbitant prices. The authorities should make arrangements similar to those in Mina where public kitchens are run 24 hours a day, selling food at nominal prices.

Certainly the pilgrims’ stay at Arafat is for just a few hours but they are the Guests of the Merciful and their comfort is of the utmost importance.