JEDDAH, 25 May 2007 — In a bid to streamline movement of pilgrims streaming out of the tent city of Mina on the fifth day of the Haj, Saudi authorities are requesting almost all countries to persuade some of their nationals to stay in Mina for the sixth day as well.
Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said: “Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy has sought our cooperation in urging some of our pilgrims to stay in Mina for the sixth day (13th Dul Hijjah) to help authorities regulate the flow of traffic on the fifth day of the Haj.”
The Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims who are able must do once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage takes place over five days with an optional sixth day. Some pilgrims opt to stay an extra day in line with the Prophet’s tradition, but most of them — exhausted after completing five days of rigorous rituals — are eager to leave on the fifth day. Authorities say that this crowded exit of pilgrims from Mina poses a safety risk.
“It would be ideal if a substantial number stayed back for the sixth day in Mina,” the Indian minister quoted Al-Farsy as saying. Ahamed was in the Kingdom to sign an agreement with the Haj Ministry for arranging the visit of 157,000 pilgrims for Haj this year.
The minister said the Indian Haj mission and the Indian Haj Committee have already put the suggestion — that pilgrims stagger their exit — into practice since last year.
“Nearly 20 percent of the Indian pilgrims last year stayed back in Mina for the sixth day,” said Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed at whose residence the press conference took place. “This time the Saudi authorities have suggested that we persuade nearly 40 percent of our pilgrims to stay back in Mina.”
Indian Haj Committee Chairman Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi said his committee would ensure that every pilgrim is told about his exact accommodation status before he leaves for the Kingdom to avoid a repeat of chaotic scenes witnessed last year.
Ahamed pointed out to the huge construction activity that was going on in Makkah and said all the buildings that used to be hired before had been demolished in recent years. As a result, there are not many accommodations available in the close vicinity of the Holy Mosque.
Referring to transportation problems and the delay in transporting pilgrims back to India during previous pilgrimages, the minister said he has instructed Air-India to make adequate arrangements for the smooth flow of pilgrims both to and from Saudi Arabia.
The management of Indian nationals traveling for Haj is the biggest operation handled by the Ministry of External Affairs, outside the Indian borders, said Ahamed. It involves coordination between various agencies in India and abroad. “We have been rated as one of the best by the Saudi authorities,” he added.
