For the street vendors operating under the King Faisal Bridge in Muzdalifah, Haj season is the time to make a profit, exploiting the thousands of pilgrims seeking food, beverages and water, and charging exorbitant rates for them.

Nabiah Al-Rashi said she sells her home-cooked meals for SR10 for a small plate and SR20 for a big plate. While her entire expenditure during the season doesn’t exceed SR400, she rakes in profits in excess of SR15,000.

“I know we are violating rules and regulations, and our business is illegal. But it is only during the Haj season that I make such huge profits,” she said.

“A pilgrims’ primary need is water. Hence, I bought two containers of water and put them in ice to cool and sell them. I sell a cold water bottle for SR3, and a non-refrigerated one for SR2. Every year I come to Muzdalifah Bridge, even though I know it’s forbidden, but I don’t want to lose the chance to make some money during this season,” said Um Al-Faraj.

Zulikha Eiman, echoing similar views, said: “There are only a few foodstuff stores on the pilgrims’ road which leads to Muzdalifah, and since they pass next to me, I sell pastries, refrigerated juice and water to the pilgrims. Profits are not stable because of the fierce competition from other vendors who reserve and put up their stalls a day before Tarwiyah.

These are usually areas in vantage position of Muzdalifah where sales are good,” she said.

“I brought my daughters to ensure that we get good slots,” said Basitah Khadraa. She reserves a number of places and rents them for SR100 per day, making as much as SR400 a day.

Osama Zaitouni, director-general of information and public relations in the municipality of Makkah, said the municipality is intensifying its efforts and working round-the-clock to keep the situation under control.

He said it was difficult to bring all the illegal vendors under control, though there are daily confiscations of goods, especially foodstuffs. “Many people exploit the Haj season and sell foodstuff and beverages at double the normal prices,” he added.