No Haj curbs on pilgrims from Arab Spring states

Saudi Arabia has no plans to impose restrictions on pilgrims coming from Arab Spring countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen for this year’s annual pilgrimage, said a top official.
“We don’t have any plan to reduce the number of pilgrims from countries that are currently witnessing political disturbances,” said Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar.
He, however, emphasized that Riyadh would not allow anyone to use Haj for political purposes.
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to start on Oct. 13.
All countries would be allowed to send pilgrims for Haj in accordance with the approved quota, Hajjar said. A 20 percent cut was announced earlier this year because of expansion work at the Grand Mosque.
The Saudi government has also imposed a 50 percent reduction on domestic pilgrims this year.
“The agreements we have signed with foreign Haj missions insist that their pilgrims must follow the Kingdom’s Haj regulations,” Hajjar said.
Political analysts expect a substantial fall in the number of pilgrims coming from violence-hit countries like Egypt and Tunisia.
The ministry will hand over tents in Mina and other holy sites next week to the Tawafa organizations of pilgrims from different countries as well as service providers of domestic pilgrims to keep them ready much before the start of Haj, he said.
Asked about the measures taken by authorities to prevent possible stampedes at Mashair Railway that transports pilgrims between the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, Hajjar said: “A number of workshops will be conducted with the participation of delegates from public and private agencies to discuss plans to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims.”
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