“Officials are checking Haj permits at the entrances to the holy city. Permits are being checked to ensure they are not forged. Those caught with forged permits will be punished,” he said, adding that there is also a ban on vehicles that have a capacity to carry less than 25 passengers from entering the Haj sites.
“On the night of the seventh of Dul Hijjah (Saturday night), pilgrims will start arriving in Mina, then to Arafat and then to Muzdalifah and then back to Mina on Eid day (Tuesday),” said Al-Turki.
“The Ministry of Interior’s plan regarding Haj in Makkah has been divided into three parts. The first part begins before pilgrims arrive in the holy sites. The second part begins on the tenth day of Dul Hijjah (Tuesday) … the third part begins after pilgrims leave Mina on 12 Dul Hijjah,” he said.
The plan for Madinah has been divided into two parts — one is aimed at dealing with pilgrims who visit Madinah before Haj and the second is for those who visit once it is over.
Commenting on the new Mashair Railway, he said: “Everyone is noticing the changes in the transportation plan between Arafat and Mina following the introduction of the new rail,” he said, adding that roads in Arafat will see huge improvements this year.
Al-Turki said pilgrims would be allowed to use the railway for free after Eid Al-Adha; this will be especially useful for pilgrims who are housed in tents in the Mina extension in Muzdalifah and who have a long trek to the Jamrat Bridge. The railway will shuttle between Muzdalifah until the fourth floor of the Jamrat Bridge. This will also contribute to easing congestion on the bridge’s other floors.
The Interior Ministry spokesman said the railway has been designed in a way that ensures pilgrims’ safety and that stations are shaded to give them respite from the sun.
“The entire system is streamlined and has many safety features. Potential passengers are separated into groups to avoid pushing — you have those who are ready to board and they are separated from those whose turn will follow thereafter,” said Al-Turki.
