JEDDAH, 9 February 2004 — Because of the increasing number of elderly pilgrims being caught in stampedes at the holy sites, a Pakistani provincial minister plans to recommend that unaccompanied persons too old to withstand the strain of Haj should not be allowed to make the pilgrimage.
Dr. Irfan Gul Magsi, Sindh’s minister for Religious Affairs, Auqaf, Zakah and Ushr, told reporters that proper training was needed by all pilgrims. They have to be taught the rituals before arriving in Saudi Arabia. This training should be arranged at both federal and provincial levels.
The minister said: “Elderly pilgrims should be accompanied by younger family members and the travel and accommodation for these family members should be subsidized.”
The minister said that in view of the problems pilgrims faced this year, Pakistan’s Haj Ministry might begin next year’s Haj process early. Magsi said a color coding system would be introduced next year so that Pakistani pilgrims can easily be identified. Delegations will be sent to Malaysia and Jordan to acquaint themselves with the method of training those countries use with to their pilgrims.
Regarding pilgrims who are not part of a group and who are often stranded in the Kingdom without accommodation, Magsi said his ministry would recommend that the federal government not issue no-objection certificates to erring tour operators.
He explained: “I will urge the government to establish a mechanism for those who wish to perform Haj on their own and ask them to pay less, rather than involving tour operators.”
Magsi said a media center for Pakistani journalists would be set up at next year’s Haj. Local journalists would also be welcome to use its facilities.
The minister said some 118 Pakistani pilgrims died during this year’s Haj — 40 in the stampede at Mina, 10 in three road accidents and 68 from heart attacks or lung disorders. Those who died in the stampede included 24 government-sponsored pilgrims while 16 were Saudi iqama holders.
In accordance with Saudi laws, government-sponsored pilgrims are buried in Makkah, he said.
A group has been set up to prepare necessary documents for deceased iqama holders and ascertain if their family members want their bodies returned to Pakistan.
The minister lauded the Saudi Haj minister’s statement that three members from the families of each dead pilgrim would be allowed to perform Haj at government expense.
