JEDDAH, 6 February 2003 — There are no age restrictions on those who want to perform Haj, Abu Bakr Baqader, consultant at the Ministry of Haj, told Arab News yesterday.
“All that matters is that each country keeps to the percentage of pilgrims they are allowed to send based on the decisions made in the Islamic Conference in Oman,” he added.
“We will be supervising all the services provided to both the elderly and the disabled pilgrims to ensure that their special needs are catered for,” Baqader added.
However, it is the Haj service industry, and not the Ministry of Haj, that is directly responsible for providing appropriate accommodation for pilgrims with special needs.
They are required to accommodate these pilgrims in buildings with elevators and wheelchair access, for example, and provide other necessary assistance.
The municipalities of Makkah and Madinah are also charged with facilitating disabled pilgrims, as well as any other group of pilgrims which has special requirements.
The Civil Defense administration in Makkah has prepared a comprehensive safety plan to protect pilgrims, ensure their safety and raise safety awareness among them.
It focuses on the establishment of general safety teams, fire stations and rescue teams at different locations, including tunnels and parking areas in the event of emergency evacuations.
Some 18 units are ready around the clock for accidents and emergencies.
Motorcycles allow several trained personnel quick access to narrow and crowded areas, and 86 medical students will also accompany the units in order to provide on-the-spot medical assistance.
