MAKKAH, 26 January 2003 — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who is chairman of the Central Haj Committee, will pay an inspection tour of Makkah and other holy sites today to review the arrangements made for the annual pilgrimage. The tour will cover Jabal Al-Rahma in Arafat, the new health projects in Mina and Arafat and the new arrangement for the transportation of Southeast Asian pilgrims. According to a press statement issued by the governorate, the government has spent more than SR430 million on new Haj projects to enhance facilities for pilgrims.
Series of Islamic lectures set
MAKKAH, 26 January 2003 — The Tawafa organization for South Asian pilgrims will organize a series of Islamic lectures for the benefit of its pilgrims, according to Dr. Abdul Haleem ibn Mohammed Al-Salafi, supervisor of religious guidance at the organization. He said the lectures will be delivered by some of the prominent scholars who have come for Haj this year under the organization. Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, former vice president of the Shoura Council, will give the opening lecture.
Presidency to deploy 3,650 employees
MAKKAH, 26 January 2003 — The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs said yesterday that it will deploy more than 3,650 employees, including 2,000 temporary staff, to implement its Haj plan. “The plan which began on Jan. 17 will continue until the end of Dul Hijjah (March 3),” said Saleh Al-Hosain, head of the presidency. He said the plan will focus on providing religious guidance to pilgrims who have come from different parts of the world. The presidency has allocated 100 telephone lines to answer queries of pilgrims on various religious issues.
Jordan to exempt pilgrims from fee
AMMAN, 26 January 2003 — The Jordanian government has decided to exempt Haj and Umrah pilgrims crossing its territory from the official fee, equivalent to SR44, it was announced here yesterday. About 120,000 pilgrims from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey and Central Asian Islamic Republics cross Jordan to reach the Kingdom annually.
Israel bans 836 Palestinian pilgrims
JEDDAH, 26 January 2003 — Israeli Army imposed a travel ban on 836 pilgrims from Gaza, stopping them from performing Haj this year, Okaz reported. Raji Al-Sorani, manager of the Palestinian human rights office, said that this act is the continuation of daily terror tactics exercised by Israeli forces. Israel claims that 396 of them are from the family of martyrs or injured while 440 are banned for security reasons. The first group from a total of 5,500 Palestinian pilgrims left for the Kingdom through Rafah border point.
398 bakeries to be in operation
MAKKAH, 26 January 2003 — Over 398 bakeries will be in operation during the Haj season. More than 80 million pieces of bread will be distributed during Haj and is expected to generate a profit of SR20 million. According to statistics, there are 31 bakeries in Ajyad area, 30 in Misfala, 21 in Otaibiya, 50 in Mabeda and 27 in Aziziya. These bakeries produce more than 21 types of bread. Ayub Mahdali, a bakery owner, said the bakeries work for about 20 hours a day just to meet the heavy demand. From a bag of flour, which cost SR25, one can make a profit of SR320.
