MAKKAH, 23 May 2007 — The South Asian Pilgrims Establishment (SAPE), the biggest Haj operator in the Kingdom, is fully geared to provide the best possible services to pilgrims in the coming Haj season, said SAPE Chairman Adnan Katib.
Apart from providing accommodation to pilgrims in Makkah, Mina and Arafat, SAPE provides 15 additional services to pilgrims and encourages various missions and private tour operators to avail of these services that include food, Internet facilities and sightseeing, Katib said.
This year SAPE will provide blankets and pillows to its pilgrims from India. Katib and Indian Consul General Ausaf Sayeed signed an agreement regarding this on Monday, which was witnessed by Indian Consul Haj Suhel Ejaz Khan.
“The Indian mission always comes up with new suggestions to improve our services and to make Haj smooth and comfortable for pilgrims. This year it asked us to provide blankets and pillows to Indian pilgrims so that they are equipped to face the cold weather,” Katib said.
He added that blankets would provide a major relief to pilgrims as the Haj falls in December when the weather is cold in Mina. “And after Haj, pilgrims can take them back with them as souvenirs,” he said.
However, Katib made it clear that this facility would be exclusively for Indians and not for pilgrims of other nationalities that his establishment caters for, which include pilgrims from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives.
Speaking about pilgrim accommodation in Makkah, Katib said hundreds of buildings close to the Grand Mosque have been demolished because of a construction boom in the city.
Moreover, out of around 9,000 buildings used to house pilgrims in Makkah, licenses for around 6,000 have been put on hold while they fulfill required safety requirements.
“This would obviously put pressure on the accommodation situation, leaving us with no option but to put pilgrims in other areas. There is no way any mission can accommodate all its pilgrims inside the periphery of the Holy Haram. All missions ... have to house pilgrims in other areas. Aziziah, Sheesha and Kudai are the best available spots,” Katib said.
In the past some pilgrims have complained about being accommodated in these areas, mainly on account of transportation problems to the Haram. However, last year the stay of Indian pilgrims in Aziziah and Sheesha was satisfactory, although some of them complained that they were not informed about this in India.
“The situation aggravates when after arrival in Makkah they find that some of them are staying near the Holy Mosque and others have not got accommodation there. But if this thing is explained to them in India, they will understand the situation,” Katib said.
Explaining the Indian position on the issue, the consul general said, “The Central Haj Committee mentions this in application forms. And during training programs, pilgrims will be informed about their stay in Aziziah and Sheesha, so that they are mentally prepared for it.”
Katib emphasized that there was an urgent need for an extensive training and orientation program for pilgrims.
He said Indian pilgrims carry rice, dry rations, oil, pickles, dry fish and other foodstuff, which can very well be avoided as all these items are available locally at affordable prices.
Katib praised the late Prince Abdul Majeed for his efforts to make the Haj successful and hoped that the new Governor of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal would take this to new heights.
“I thank the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for taking personal care and interest in the service of the guests of Allah,” Katib said.
