JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has urged all domestic pilgrims to obtain Haj permits before heading to perform Haj along with authorized pilgrim service agents.
In a statement on Sunday, Prince Khaled reiterated the government’s efforts to end negative practices during the Haj season, especially squatting in public places.
Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the Central Haj Committee, urged all government and private agencies involved in the Haj operation to extend the best possible services to the guests of God. “You have to work as one team.” He said the Haj awareness campaign, titled “Haj is Worship and Civilized Behavior,” calls on pilgrims to follow rules and regulations.
“It is estimated that about a million people perform Haj illegally every year by not obtaining permits. This is a big burden on the state. These illegal pilgrims cause problems to pilgrims who have come different parts of the world,” he said.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to improve Haj facilities for pilgrims, adding that it has spent billions of riyals by carrying out gigantic development projects in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
He underlined the negative effects of people going for Haj without permits and their squatting in public places, adding that it would affect the smooth organizing of the event, the largest gathering of Muslims in the world.
He said the Haj permit system for domestic pilgrims was introduced to create more space for first-time Haj performers coming from abroad and to enable them to perform the Haj rituals comfortably.
He said this year’s Haj awareness campaign was also aimed at encouraging the public to perform Haj while following regulations. He urged the public to cooperate with the government’s efforts to organize the annual pilgrimage in an efficient manner.
He emphasized that the government would not allow the squatting of pilgrims in public places and roads, saying it is the main obstruction in the way of pilgrims.
“The government will not show any leniency in punishing those who violate Haj regulations, especially those who do not obtain a Haj permit before going to the holy sites,” he added.
Prince Khaled urged domestic pilgrim service agents to charge reasonable amounts from their clients and transport their pilgrims to the holy sites in authorized vehicles.
He said the Makkah governorate was seeking to build a partnership with public and private agencies involved in Haj to improve their services. He added that the government would fine unauthorized pilgrim service firms.
