MAKKAH: Khalil Behader, chief of field services for Egyptian pilgrims under the Arab Pilgrims Tawafa Establishment, has been serving pilgrims for the past 35 years.
“After the death of my father, my brothers and I took over our father’s trade of serving Haj pilgrims from Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon and India. All the pilgrims used to stay in common tents and enjoy other common utilities in those days,” said Behader, who is a member of the National Committee for Tourism at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Taif Tourism Promotion Council.
He is a pioneer among those who offer luxury services to pilgrims. “I started offering luxury services when Iraqi pilgrims started asking for comfortable beds, soft mattresses, special bathrooms and air conditioners, as well as excellent food,” he said.
He continued offering luxury service to Iraqis for 10 years until their economy took a downturn and they could not afford the higher cost anymore.
It was also Behader’s idea to use solid frame tents as a precaution against flash flooding in Arafat and Mina.
“Other pilgrim service providers also followed my lead until 1997 when old tents were replaced by fireproof tents,” he said.
While pilgrims paid SR249 for ordinary services in those days the luxury services cost SR1,000 and above, depending on the level of services required by the pilgrims.
Now the luxury services include large beds, plenty of expensive dishes and drinks including fruits and dry fruits and Internet facility, specialist medical care besides lectures by famous religious scholars. Behader, who is also vice chairman of the Tourism Committee in the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, owns Al-Qasr Al-Abyad hotels, printing presses, wedding halls, and the Grand Behader hotel in Hada.
“My goal in offering superior service to pilgrims is not to make money but to satisfy pilgrims needs and hope that they remember me in their prayers,” he said.