RIYADH: The Saudi government’s ongoing efforts to develop the holy sites came in for much praise by Jordan’s Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister Dr. Hayel Abdulhafiz Dawud, who described the projects as the largest and most prominent in the whole history of Islam.

Minister Dawud also applauded the Kingdom for providing much ease for the pilgrims during their performance of Haj, which is fifth most important pillar of Islam.

He referred to the Ministry of Haj’s sustained efforts to accommodate pilgrims during their negotiations with the Haj Affairs Office and acknowledged the role the Pilgrims Civil Institution play in providing the best services possible for visiting pilgrims.

Following his meeting with Chairman of the Civil Institution of Pilgrims, Matouf Abbas bin Abdul Ghani Qattan, the Jordanian minister clarified that these meetings aimed to discuss and debate the various necessary arrangements required to serve the estimated 9,000 pilgrims from Jordan who will perform Hajj this year, as well as to enhance their positive experiences. The Chairman of the Civil Institution of Pilgrims explained that the meeting was held for the sake of discussing the various services related to housing in Mecca and other holy sites, as well as transportation, nutrition and more.

He stressed the importance of adhering to the program of retaining 50 percent of pilgrims up until day 13, as well as the commitment to the electronic track, noting that the meeting also intended to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the two sides and to enhance the safety and comfort of the pilgrims.