JEDDAH, 19 January 2005 — As Saudi Arabia’s population temporarily swells for Haj, buses from across the Arabian Peninsula make their way to Makkah. In the last three decades the number of pilgrims has risen from 122,546, of which 514,791 were domestic pilgrims, in 1973, to 1,892,710, with domestic pilgrims accounting for 473,004, in 2003.
This year, by early January, Saudi Arabia had issued more than 1.2 million visas for pilgrims coming from abroad.
With the ever-growing number of pilgrims coming for Haj each year, the pressure on means of land transportation increases, so much so that even the landmark coasters of Jeddah, are pressed into Haj transportation. These cheap and convenient means of local transport on particular routes begin to go off the city roads at least two weeks before Haj, leaving the thoroughfares almost deserted and the public longing for their return.
Moreover, Saudi Haj operators hire buses from places outside the Kingdom, such as Syria, Jordan and Yemen. Not only is the cost cheaper, but the buses are new and comfortable. These reporters came across a group of 45 drivers from Syria camping with their buses at the parking lot near the H-Bridge or Kubri Murabba on Madinah Road here yesterday. All the buses were 2004 and 2005 models and in top condition.
The drivers, all in ihram, said that they had left Damascus on Jan. 12 and arrived here Monday night. “We came via Azrak in Jordan, entered Saudi Arabia at Al-Hadisa border, and reached here via Madinah,” said Yusuf Mahmud Mardini and Ziad Tamar, the most vocal, and de facto spokesmen for the group. Most of them have been making the trip for the last 10 years.
They said they have never faced any major difficulty all along the way, except long delays at checkpoints, mainly because of heavy rush and tightened security. “It took us two days at Al-Hadisa,” Mardini said. “Roads have become smoother and safer, but the checkpoint delays continue,” added Tamar. They agreed that with the security situation these days nothing could be left to chance. “Security has to be thorough,” they both agreed.
All of them said they enjoy the work, and the long drive. They were unanimous in the feeling that the best part was the opportunity to perform Haj every year. “Since we are with the Hajis almost all the time and all the way to all the Haj sites, it is easy,” Mardini explained.
Asked about the place where they were parking, they said they have been using it for years, but now that buildings have been coming up on the grounds, they may have to find another place in a year or two. “We are like migratory birds, we will find another spot,” said Tamar, laughing.
