Many of these peddlers are pilgrims who came for Haj and to make a few bucks while they are here. They sometimes set up shop on the main roads and in areas around the Haj camps.
Arab News toured the area and met with Ayisha, an African overstayer who lives in Makkah. She said that she has been doing this business for nine years now since she first arrived. She said that before pilgrims arrive, she sells water and biscuits mainly to the workers of Tawafa establishments in Mina.
When pilgrims start arriving she switches her business and sells clothes and other products until the pilgrims leave Mina.
"I prepared for this Haj since the start of this month. I came to Mina early and I brought with me what I wanted to sell. I even chose the best locations with the help of some of my friends."
Um Bakr, another African overstayer, said she sells prayer beads, clothes and different types of oil.
"I work in Mina along with my nine daughters who are spread out in other locations near Haj camps. My main job is to supply my daughters with the products while they take care of the selling. Last year we made SR7,000 in net profits in just six days when the outlay was only SR700, which was good. This year I am sure I will earn triple the amount."
In another location, there was a group of African women selling meals to their compatriot pilgrims. Most of them refused to talk to Arab News but one of them said briefly the profit earned was worth every risk they take to come to the place.
Dr. Muhammad Abdul Wahab, a doctor at a local hospital in Makkah, said street peddlers pose a health risk to pilgrims, whether they are selling food or clothes. The clothes sold could be carrying skin diseases while unhygienically stored food carry the risk of food poisoning.
