JEDDAH, 28 January 2004 — Australian pilgrims have complained that Saudi Haj agents have violated the terms of contracts they signed with them. “We have faced a lot of problems, especially when we arrived in Madinah. The hotel where we were given accommodation was not clean and five to six pilgrims were put into one room in violation of the terms of the contract,” said Ahmad Al-Dehaiby, head of the group.
In a report carried by Al-Watan Arabic daily, Al-Dehaiby also complained that the hotel’s lift was not working and its toilets lacked water. He said his group had faced the same problems in Makkah. “We have been in the same situation since last Wednesday,” he told the daily.
The Haj Ministry is making efforts to solve the pilgrims’ problems after studying their complaints, the paper said.
Haj Security
Authorities have taken all possible measures to ensure the security and safety of pilgrims, according to Maj. Gen. Ali ibn Ahmad Al-Bar, commander of the Haj security forces. “Nobody will be allowed to damage the security of the Kingdom or the pilgrims,” Okaz daily quoted him as saying. He said severe punishment would be meted out to those who try to smuggle pilgrims and overstayers into the holy sites. Al-Bar said his forces would work to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims at the stoning area (Jamrat) in Mina.
Thermal Cameras
Seventeen thermal imaging cameras have been installed at major entry points to the Kingdom. Twelve are at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport. The cameras are meant to prevent the spread of SARS during Haj. Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie inspected the airport’s health service facilities on Sunday. A mobile intensive care unit has been set up at the airport to move pilgrims suffering from chronic diseases to specialized hospitals. The cameras provide thermal maps of the body temperature of each passenger and help authorities identify travelers who have fever. Pilgrims with high fever are taken to doctors for examination.
