MAKKAH, 25 February — A large number of pilgrims returned home yesterday at the completion of a successful and peaceful Haj. “This year’s Haj operation was successful by all standards,” declared Interior Minister Prince Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee.
The faithful started leaving Mina yesterday afternoon after stoning the Jamrat for the third consecutive day. They moved to Makkah by buses and on foot to perform Tawaf Al-Widae (farewell circling of the Holy Kaaba), the last ritual of the Haj.
Prince Naif has ordered that all security officers who have participated in the Haj operation — irrespective of their ranks — be given Haj medals. “We value their services,” the prince said while receiving commanders of the Haj security forces.
Prince Naif congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, on the successful completion of the Haj.
“It is a great honor for all of us, especially for the security agencies, who have helped the pilgrims from across the world to perform their rituals in a secure and peaceful atmosphere,” the minister told the commanders.
The government yesterday declared that the Haj was trouble free. “On the conclusion of this year’s Haj...it gives me pleasure to declare that the pilgrimage was safe and there had been no outbreak of contagious diseases,” Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi said. “The conditions of the pilgrims in general are good and satisfactory,” he added.
All the pilgrims were very pleased with the successful completion of their spiritual journey. Muhammad Khan, a 37-year-old Pakistani, was extremely happy. He said he had prayed during the Haj for Islam to spread all over the world and for strengthening Muslim unity.
The stoning passed without any incident. “The stoning ritual has been peaceful over these last two days, and no incident has been reported,” Gen. Asaad Abdul Kareem Al-Fareeh, director of security, told reporters. Fareeh said security measures undertaken this year had prevented any stampedes in Mina.
