MAKKAH: Makkah’s municipality committee in charge of accommodating pilgrims in the holy city plans to house about 1.6 million pilgrims. Around 6,500 permits have been issued to various buildings to accommodate pilgrims, Chairman of the Committee Zuhair Mekki Al-Haddad announced.
“Permits to accommodate pilgrims during the Haj season are granted to qualified buildings in all residential quarters in Makkah without distinction,” he said, adding the committee has no hand in choosing districts where pilgrims stay, which is the responsibility of various countries’ Haj missions.
According to Al-Haddad, the Haj missions usually choose areas that are within walking distance from the Grand Mosque in order to enable pilgrims to perform their prayers without needing transport.
Al-Haddad said that from next year, the accommodation permit would be valid for three years instead of the current one-year system. He explained 19 engineering offices were assessing the buildings’ construction and safety measures, warning any office that does not do its job properly will either be closed down or fined SR100,000.
According to Al-Haddad, owners of buildings wishing to accommodate pilgrims should present ownership documents, construction license, a technical report from a recognized engineering office proving its suitability, an architectural sketch of the building, a picture of the site and a photocopy of his ID.
“Electric power, water, fire extinguishers, mattresses, pillows, air-conditioners, warning systems, emergency staircases, cooking utensils, an electrician, a plumber, pesticides and cleaning and maintenance contracts must be available in any building applying for permits to accommodate pilgrims,” he explained.
Al-Haddad said the committee has 36 teams, each consisting of four people working around the clock to inspect buildings accommodating pilgrims to ensure they are living comfortably.
“Any building with only four stories and no lifts will not be given license to accommodate pilgrims,” he warned.
Al-Haddad said no permits to accommodate pilgrims would be given to houses in underdeveloped districts because “buildings there are old with narrow and crowded alleys.”
Applications to accommodate pilgrims for next year’s Haj season will be received from Muharram (mid December) to Shaaban 1431H (August 2010).
“Last year we evacuated and closed down about 20 buildings that had violated the regulations and had to accommodate pilgrims elsewhere,” Al-Haddad recalled.
