The minister was referring to the 13-point objectives of the Ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2010-2015), which were endorsed by the Cabinet meeting on Monday. “The new move to develop the holy sites and improve pilgrim services under the five year plan will expand facilities for the growing number of pilgrims who come from different parts of the world,” he said.
Al-Farsy underscored the gigantic projects established by the government during the past years including expansion of the two holy mosques and construction of the four-story Jamrat Bridge in Mina. “These projects reflects the Saudi government’s desire to provide the best possible services to the guests of God,” the minister said.
With Haj more than seven months away, Haj missions from a number of Muslim countries are arriving in Makkah to discuss preparations for their pilgrims, a source at the Haj Ministry told Arab News.
Missions from Indonesia, Pakistan, Algeria and Jordan are already in the holy city.
Tunisia, which prevented its citizens from performing Haj last year due to swine flu concerns, has sent a mission led by Religious Affairs Minister Abu Al-Qasim Allawi to discuss arrangements for this year’s pilgrimage with Saudi officials and representatives of the Tawafa organization.
The delegations will also assess the procedures being put in place to prepare for the world’s largest annual gathering of people, which poses unique challenges in terms of crowd control, health services, public safety and lodging.
Meanwhile, Al-Farsy met with Indonesian Haj delegation led by Islamic Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali at his office in Jeddah.
The Saudi minister told the Indonesian delegation to enlighten their pilgrims before they arrive in the Kingdom.
“We are telling this to officials of all countries to help their pilgrims perform their religious duties in ease and comfort,” Al-Farsy said.
The Indonesian minister commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the service of pilgrims. Last year nearly 200,000 Indonesians performed Haj.
According to Herman Barata, secretary-general of Indonesian Association of Haj and Umrah Pilgrimage Operators, the number of Umrah pilgrims from the country increased by 10 percent per year in the last three years.
Umrah pilgrimage tour packages, Barata said, also varied with the main destination of Makkah. “Some packages make use of transit time to have a tour to Yemen and others provide an additional destination like Egypt, Turkey, or Jerusalem,” he explained.
The peak season for Umrah pilgrimage, he added, is usually in Ramadan, increasing the price significantly. “If in March-May, the price could be as low as $1,300, during Ramadan it would become $1,800 or more.”
