MAKKAH: As part of a campaign to minimize crowding in the holy sites during Haj, prayer leaders have been urged to preach the importance for domestic pilgrims to obtain permits before embarking on the annual pilgrimage.
“Imams and preachers in mosques across the Kingdom will exhort people to obey the rules and regulations laid down by the government for the smooth conduct of Haj, particularly the stipulation that all domestic pilgrims, both Saudis and expatriates, should get permits before they set out for Makkah,” said Hatem Qadi, undersecretary at the Haj Ministry.
An intense awareness campaign has been launched in this regard using radio, television and the print media. “Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also the chairman of the Central Haj Committee, referred in a recent speech to the media campaign designed by the Central Haj Committee and approved by Interior Minister Prince Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee,” Qadi said. “The campaign aims to convince both citizens and expatriates the need to get permits if they wish to perform Haj.”
He added that besides the print and electronic media, billboards would appear along major roads leading to Makkah carrying the message, “No Haj without permit.” He said that the new regulations were meant to make the performance of the pilgrimage peaceful and comfortable.
Qadi also reminded the public that Haj was obligatory only once in a Muslim’s lifetime. “Those who have already performed it should not cause discomfort and hardship to other Muslims who are doing it for the first time,” he added.
The official warned drivers who take pilgrims without permits to Makkah. “The owners of vehicles that transport unauthorized pilgrims will be punished,” he said.
Qadi also urged pilgrims to only deal with licensed Haj organizing companies. “Domestic pilgrims should make sure that the company that arranges their Haj formalities should carry a license specifically issued for the current year. They should not approach fake agencies,” he said.
The official requested the cooperation of citizens and expatriates in the matter. Unauthorized pilgrims create traffic problems in the holy sites by turning roads, parking lots and other vacant places into campsites, he said.
He said special teams would be sent to the holy sites during Haj to look for unauthorized pilgrims. Saudi employers are also directed to instruct their workers not to violate the regulations.
