Local Haj groups, charities and scholars have provided hand disinfectants and face masks to pilgrims this year to help counter infectious diseases such as Ebola and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Several Haj groups have placed large quantities of hand gel, including scentless sanitizers, at the entrances of their camps at the holy sites and distributed small disinfectant bottles.

Many nonprofit organizations are distributing sanitizers, face masks and spray bottles.

Mawakeb Alajr (The Goodness Convoy) shop, which helps the poor and the needy, are also offering water spray bottles. The founder, Abeer Abdulaziz Noeser, said: “The best thing about these bottles is that they spray water in a mist, so pilgrims won't get their clothes wet. Since its hot weather, it provides the right kind of refreshment.”

She said these bottles are also for sale, with the proceeds going to orphans.

Meanwhile, religious scholars have provided a step-by-step guide on the Haj for pilgrims. This includes advice not to use hand sanitizers containing perfume on their ihram. They said the sanitizers are also important to ward off Ebola and MERS.

Sheikh Mohammed, an Islamic studies professor, said the book discusses everything about performing the rituals properly.