The Ministry of Haj has announced that 174,556 domestic pilgrims are performing Haj this year through an integrated-services system provided by the government.

The Haj Ministry has also stepped up efforts to offer superior services to the pilgrims and upgrade the existing services.

The ministry’s low-cost Haj program has attracted almost 41,000 domestic pilgrims. As part of its plan to provide optimum services to the guests of God, the ministry held a training workshop on Sunday titled “The Directed Surveillance” in order to monitor the low-cost Haj program, the facilitated Haj programs and some of the camps of international pilgrims.

Hussein ibn Nasir Al-Sharif, deputy minister of Haj for Haj Affairs, said that the workshop was held to train 45 male and 15 female participants in dealing with notifications received during the surveillance, complaints or negative feedback.

More than 5,000 field observers have been deployed throughout the ministry’s different sectors and are tasked with inspecting the pilgrim accommodations, field service offices and to monitor any negative feedback until the end of Haj.

“All efforts are geared to achieve the highest performance rates during this year’s Haj and to gain the pilgrims’ utmost satisfaction,” Al-Sharif said.

He added that the ministry was devoting its efforts to supporting all licensed Haj companies and that the pilgrims could now access the toll free number 800430444 for any complaints or suggestions.

“Lines are open for pilgrims to call in from around the Kingdom and they will be attended by staff in both Arabic and English languages,” Al-Sharif said.

Afsheen Khan, one of the members at the center told Arab News that pilgrims can call them at the toll free number for inquiries or complaints.