RIYADH, 16 January 2005 — Forty-seven pilgrims, who are guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, arrived in Makkah yesterday to perform Haj. In a press release, Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaiby, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, said it was the first batch of a total of 200 pilgrims who will be performing Haj as guests of King Fahd.
WAMY has been entrusted with the responsibility of looking after these pilgrims and organizing their visits to religious sites. The pilgrims include five from Romania, six from Italy, seven from France, eight from Britain, 10 from Germany and 11 from Bulgaria.
100 Hotlines to Answer Queries
MAKKAH, 16 January 2005 — The Department of Guidance in the Grand Mosque in Makkah has set up more than 100 hotlines. The phone lines are linked directly to a number of sheikhs who will answer any questions the pilgrims might have pertaining to the performance of Haj.
The head of the department, Sheikh Yousif Al-Wabil, said more than 50 sheikhs and religious students would devote their time around the clock to answering pilgrims’ questions. The department has also printed more than 1.2 million brochures for distribution to pilgrims.
Supervision of Markets
MAKKAH, 16 January 2005 — The General Department for Health and Environment in Makkah has increased its inspections of local restaurants and markets in order to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims. Teams have been formed within the department and so far, inspections were carried out in more than 26,500 shops and restaurants.
Fire Department Prepares for Haj
MAKKAH, 16 January 2005 — The chief of the Fire Department in Makkah, Gen. Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, said the department’s total work force this year is more than 10,000. More than 3,000 cars and other vehicles have been earmarked for Haj in addition to 15 airplanes.
The department also has 100 boats which could be used in the unlikely event of heavy rains and flooding.
