These pilgrims have found the service more comfortable than public transport, which moves slowly in the central area of the holy city because of the huge crowds of worshippers and hundreds of vehicles.

Arab News toured various parts of the city, including the Hijla, Misyal, Kaduh, Shabika, Harat Al-Bab, Gazza, Hafair, Misfala and Qishla, to find out whether the use of such carts by pilgrims was a common occurrence.

All these districts are located close to the Grand Mosque and many pilgrims living there use the service of cart-pushers to visit the mosque and return to their accommodations.

Rasheed Al-Haj from Morocco, who stays in Misyal, told Arab News that he used the service because of his health. Al-Haj, who is more than 50 years old, said doctors have advised him not to walk long distances because of his leg pain.

“I found the carts more comfortable than any other transport means to reach the Grand Mosque for the five daily prayers. Previously I was traveling by public transport but it took a long time to reach the mosque,” he said.

For Egyptian pilgrim Lutfi Al-Sayyed, the carts were a blessing. “I don’t have any problem walking to the Grand Mosque. But my mother who is over 60 cannot walk long distances. When I go with her to the mosque I often use the cart service. Because of the traffic and people along the road leading to the Haram, we have found this service quicker and ideal,” he added.

Majdi Hussein, another pilgrim, said many elderly people use the service. “The service is in great demand because it’s quicker, although it’s a bit dangerous,” Hussein said and urged Saudi authorities to introduce similar transport means in areas around the Grand Mosque for the benefit of pilgrims. “I have seen a number of such carts being used by an Umrah service company,” he added.

Abdul Rasheed Arshad, one of the expatriate workers who provide the service to pilgrims, said they were charging from SR10 to SR40 for the service depending on the distance.

“The price will also go up to SR100 during peak hours,” he pointed out. “The main attraction for taking this job is that the service is provided within a distance of 1 km around the Grand Mosque,” he said, adding that one worker could make up to SR250 a day. The cost of a cart does not exceed SR300, he said.