JEDDAH: The Institute of Mass Management has launched a series of training programs for support forces that will take part in the upcoming Haj season.

The training programs are being held at different locations, notably Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

Institute Director Col. Mohamed Al-Zahrani said the training programs are based on the directives of the Commander of Public Security Gen. Osman Al-Muhraj, which focus on how to deal with masses of people, especially in certain seasons such as Haj and Ramadan.

In this context, he appreciated help of Assistant Commander of Public Security Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi who directed heads of public security training centers in different cities to harness all material and human potentials in order to achieve the set objectives of the programs.

The training programs are composed of four themes, the first of which is concerned with giving utmost respect to Makkah and holy sites and honor of providing services to the guests of Allah. A number of scholars, preachers and university professors specialized in Shariah studies joined this theme, he said.

He said the second theme focuses on the duties of the support forces and how they should deal with the pilgrims. Some academicians and security experts are responsible for the implementation of this theme.

The third theme is concerned with skills on how to deal with masses taking into consideration lessons learned from the previous Haj seasons. Well-trained and experienced security officers are covering the theme, he said.

The fourth theme is divided into three dimensions, the first is related to the operational plan of the Grand Mosque and surrounding courtyards, the second is concerned with the operational plan of the railway stations in the holy places, and the third dimension is related to the organization of pedestrians in the holy places and Jamarat area, he said.

He added that the (training) programs are set due to the efforts of the Directorate of Public Security and are aimed to upgrade the services provided to the guests of Allah and improve the performance of all agencies involved in implementing the Haj plan.

The training programs have come to reflect the cohesion and teamwork of the various government agencies enabling the pilgrims perform their rituals easily in a spiritual atmosphere with comfort and the peace of mind, he said.