MAKKAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of Makkah, has called on all Haj-related organizations and departments to upgrade the level of services that they provide to allow pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease, comfort and safety. Prince Khaled made the call while chairing a Central Haj Committee (CHC) meeting here yesterday.
Muhammad bin Ali Al-Shafie, CHC secretary-general, said the meeting began with a discussion on the arrangements made by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Department of Projects to provide technical and engineering support for pilgrim-related projects.
He said the CHC watched a presentation made by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs on the new projects that are being implemented in the holy sites.
The committee discussed Jeddah Municipality’s plans to upgrade civic services and improve environmental health during the Haj season. The meeting reviewed the Haj Ministry’s plan to boost services provided to pilgrims, and another plan to supervise the performance of its affiliate companies at all air, sea and land entry points.
Al-Shafie said the Investigation and Prosecution Commission would establish surveillance groups to monitor the performance of government bodies involved in Haj services with a view to reporting shortcomings and violations. The meeting discussed the Customs Department’s plans to support entry points with trained manpower and modern equipment to expedite custom clearance. The Transport Ministry’s efforts to improve services, including close supervision of all establishments and field studies on ways to enhance performance, were also discussed.
Al-Shafie said the CHC reviewed the General Statistics Department’s plan to count the number of pilgrims to compile accurate statistics. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s plan was also reviewed. The ministry is responsible for making available to the guests of God foodstuffs at reasonable prices. The ministry has taken steps for food quality control and to ensure supply of sufficient quantities of food.
The meeting discussed the arrangements being made by the Jeddah Islamic Port to receive sea pilgrims and transport them to Makkah and Madinah.
Later yesterday, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal met with Chief of the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Sheikh Saleh Al-Hussein and the imams of the two mosques to discuss Haj preparations.
— With input by Ibtisam Sheqdar
