MAKKAH: With the cost of accommodation in the holy city of Makkah skyrocketing due to the pilgrimage season, some private schools wishing to make extra money are renting out their premises to pilgrims without prior permission from the authorities.
Around 500 Syrian pilgrims have taken up residence at a private school on Sitteen Street after paying the school’s authorities SR350,000 for using the building. However, no permit could be seen hanging at the school’s entrance as required by law.
“We do not give much attention to accommodation. All we want is to perform Haj in peace and comfort,” said a Syrian pilgrim. “We are happy. The school owner is happy. So what is the problem?”
Another group of Syrian pilgrims has taken up residence in another school some 50 meters away. This group paid SR390,000 to use the building. “We have signed a contract with the school proprietor to vacate the premises before Dul Hijjah 15 so that the school is vacant when pupils return,” said a pilgrim, who did not want to be identified. “There is no problem in this for us. We are only here for a short period to perform Haj,” he added.
Muhammad Al-Azib, another Syrian pilgrim, told Arab News that some of his relatives rented a wedding hall for SR400,000.
Hatim Qadi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Haj, said some of the owners of such institutions do have permits and are therefore entitled to accommodate pilgrims.
He said that there was a special committee of the ministry to monitor the accommodation of pilgrims.
“Representatives from this committee will inspect these private schools to ensure they have licenses and are equipped to accommodate the guests of God,” he said.
Buildings in Makkah authorized to accommodate pilgrims usually post permits at prominent positions at the entrance. None of the schools visited by Arab News adhered to this rule.
