MAKKAH, 16 December 2007 — “We are fully geared up and prepared for Haj 2007,” said Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khlaiwi, deputy commander of Haj forces and director of Haj Training Centers.
Speaking to Arab News yesterday, Al-Khlaiwi said: “We’ve trained ourselves for 23 different types of emergencies. This year, we’ve increased the numbers of our field units from nine to 18. We have reinforced our police units to deal with and control the density of pilgrims, especially on the Jamrat Bridge.”
Al-Khlaiwi said they have divided Mina into 12 areas. “Six are considered hot zones with high densities of pilgrims. On the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, all 12 areas will become hot zones.”
According to Al-Khlaiwi, his men have this year taken into account lessons learned from previous pilgrimages. “We’ve enhanced our forces to get better results and have also dealt with past mistakes with a view to providing the best services to the pilgrims,” he said, adding that, in order to prevent stampedes, pilgrims would be stopped from squatting on main roads.
“There is also a mechanism in place to control the movement of pilgrims on the Jamrat Bridge and to ensure that the flow of pilgrims remains smooth and in one direction only,” he added.
According to statistics from previous years, there would be eight pilgrims for every square meter. Organizers say that this year there will be four pilgrims for every square meter.
“The Haj forces have provided employees with good training and the ability to endure pressure. This year, we’ve trained our forces early in Mina and familiarized them with possible contingencies during Haj,” he said.
“It is imperative that pilgrims stick to their allotted time when coming to stone at the Jamrat Bridge. This would ensure people remain safe and things go easy,” he added.
