“Only around 1.75 million foreign pilgrims will be
performing Haj this year. This low number is because of the little area that is
available for tents,” said Saad Al-Qurashi, head of the Haj Committee at the
Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
“The area designated for tents has decreased by 30 percent.
This is because of the various construction projects that are taking place
there including the monorail. As a result, there is space for fewer tents for
pilgrims,” he added.
Al-Qurashi said the Ministry of Haj should not carry out its
projects in areas that are used by pilgrims. “They can carry out their
construction projects in the mountain areas. The Mina towers are successful
structures; they’ve built six towers on a mountain which was empty and not used
by pilgrims previously,” Al-Qurashi said, adding that the ministry should look
for alternative areas where projects can be carried out without affecting the
tent city.
The JCCI’s Haj Committee has made a recommendation to the
ministry that future projects be carried out along the mountain areas in Mina.
“This would increase available space for tents,” said Al-Qurashi.
Earlier this week, Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy confirmed
about 1.75 million foreign pilgrims will be performing Haj this year and that
they would be joined by some 250,000 domestic pilgrims. The minister said the
government would carry out more projects for the welfare of pilgrims, and that
the ministry is exchanging expertise and information to ensure smooth movement
of pilgrims to the Jamrats.
Haj service operators have been complaining that they are
unable to accommodate a large number of pilgrims because of limited space and
unavailability of tents.
“Last year we received 1,200 pilgrims. This is because we
had space to accommodate 1,500 pilgrims. We always take fewer pilgrims to
ensure our pilgrims have a comfortable Haj and space for buffets and other
services,” said Mohammed Al-Manjoumi, organizer for Haj service operator Noor
Al-Islam.
“This year, our space has decreased considerably. We’re only
able to have 1,000 pilgrims and so we’ve only allowed 700 pilgrims to ensure
they have a safe and comfortable stay,” he added.
Abu Usama, an official with Al-Balad Al-Amin, another Haj
service operator, said his organization has only allowed 600 pilgrims this year
due to limited spaces. “In the past we were able to accept 750 pilgrims,” he
said.
Muhannad Al-Ghrabawi, an official with Al-Ashraf Haj service
operator, said his company has rented tents enough for 500 pilgrims. “Prices
have increased because of a limited number of tents available this year. We’ve
rented tents for 500 pilgrims, but we’ve only accepted 400,” he said.
