MAKKAH: Wedding hall owners have demanded permits from the Haj Ministry to house pilgrims and visitors to compensate for losses suffered as a result of a decline in weddings due to Ramadan coming in the middle of the summer vacation.
Essam Basnawi, head of the Wedding Hall Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Ramadan is not a popular time for weddings and that wedding halls have the facilities to house pilgrims such as adequate space, catering facilities and toilets.
“The Civil Defense has already asked us to be on alert to house pilgrims in case of an emergency. This happened three years ago when Makkah experienced heavy rains and floods. Wedding halls played an important role then in providing shelter to pilgrims who were affected,” said Basnawi.
Wedding halls are also facing huge competition from private enclosures where weddings can be held. Private enclosures charge less than wedding halls. In a bid to protect their businesses, wedding hall owners are waiting for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to implement a decision regulating private enclosures. The decision has, however, not been implemented in the seven years since its was passed. Basnawi estimated that there are 150 licensed wedding halls in Makkah and another 50 unlicensed ones that function under the nose of Makkah Municipality and the Civil Defense. There are an estimated 240 private enclosures in Makkah. The decision to extend the school vacation to two weeks after Ramadan was also welcomed by wedding hall owners.
