“Only around 1.75 million foreign pilgrims will be performing Haj this year. This low number is because of the little area that is available for tents,” said Saad Al-Qurashi, head of the Haj Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

“The area designated for tents has decreased by 30 percent. This is because of the various construction projects that are taking place there including the monorail. As a result, there is space for fewer tents for pilgrims,” he added.

Al-Qurashi said the Ministry of Haj should not carry out its projects in areas that are used by pilgrims. “They can carry out their construction projects in the mountain areas. The Mina towers are successful structures; they’ve built six towers on a mountain which was empty and not used by pilgrims previously,” Al-Qurashi said, adding that the ministry should look for alternative areas where projects can be carried out without affecting the tent city.

The JCCI’s Haj Committee has made a recommendation to the ministry that future projects be carried out along the mountain areas in Mina. “This would increase available space for tents,” said Al-Qurashi.

Earlier this week, Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy confirmed about 1.75 million foreign pilgrims will be performing Haj this year and that they would be joined by some 250,000 domestic pilgrims. The minister said the government would carry out more projects for the welfare of pilgrims, and that the ministry is exchanging expertise and information to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims to the Jamrats.

Haj service operators have been complaining that they are unable to accommodate a large number of pilgrims because of limited space and unavailability of tents.

“Last year we received 1,200 pilgrims. This is because we had space to accommodate 1,500 pilgrims. We always take fewer pilgrims to ensure our pilgrims have a comfortable Haj and space for buffets and other services,” said Mohammed Al-Manjoumi, organizer for Haj service operator Noor Al-Islam.

“This year, our space has decreased considerably. We’re only able to have 1,000 pilgrims and so we’ve only allowed 700 pilgrims to ensure they have a safe and comfortable stay,” he added.

Abu Usama, an official with Al-Balad Al-Amin, another Haj service operator, said his organization has only allowed 600 pilgrims this year due to limited spaces. “In the past we were able to accept 750 pilgrims,” he said.

Muhannad Al-Ghrabawi, an official with Al-Ashraf Haj service operator, said his company has rented tents enough for 500 pilgrims. “Prices have increased because of a limited number of tents available this year. We’ve rented tents for 500 pilgrims, but we’ve only accepted 400,” he said.