MADINAH: During this Haj season, more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims are expected to visit Madinah to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Some of them will visit the holy city before Haj and some after the pilgrimage.
The Private Establishment of Guides, under the direct supervision of the Haj Ministry, provides services to the visitors of Madinah from the time they arrive until they depart.
The establishment started its operations for this year’s Haj season early October and will continue up to early January when all pilgrims have returned home. It has established three reception offices, 17 field services offices, three centers to help stranded pilgrims and 10 general service offices.
The establishment has 2,480 people executing its Haj plan. They include: 48 permanent employees, 78 seasonal staff working at the headquarters, 700 seasonal employees at the reception centers, 1,407 temporary employees at the service offices, 607 seasonal staff at the support offices and a number of temporary data entry personnel.
The establishment has a number of stable and mobile communications stations as well as a fleet of 150 small vehicles and 11 motorbikes.
Pilgrims started entering Madinah from the first of Dul Qaada (Oct. 20) and visits will continue until 7th Dul Hijjah (Nov. 24). Visits after Haj will start on 13 Dul Hijjah (Dec. 1) and continue until pilgrims leave the Kingdom.
Pilgrims visit historical sites such as Quba and Al-Qiblatain mosques, Uhud, Al-Meeqat, Al-Khandaq and Al-Baqeea cemetery. They also buy gifts and souvenirs consisting of gold, silver, electronic appliances, dates, worry beads, etc. from shops in the central area, covering over 240 hectares.
The General Car Syndicate transports pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah on board 13,000 air-conditioned buses, closely followed by service vehicles, ambulances and mobile workshops. There are substitute buses ready to replace those that break down.
More than 60 ambulances from the Saudi Red Crescent regularly patrol Makkah. Security patrols are also present around the clock to crack down on driving offences. Four new health centers have been especially established to treat suspected H1N1 cases and reduce pressure on general hospitals.
