JEDDAH: The Ministry of Haj has banned the use of the buildings of schools, institutions, rest houses and wedding halls for the accommodation of pilgrims unless they are licensed and supervised by the Civil Defense.
Their use for accommodating pilgrims is to be sanctioned only in cases of emergency on a temporary basis and after the ministry’s approval.
The ministry has issued standards and conditions on renting residential buildings near the holy site of Mina which include use for accommodating pilgrims only before and after the season (not during) and that they are licensed to accommodate pilgrims by the Haj accommodation committee.
Other conditions stipulate that the number of accommodated pilgrims should not exceed the building’s capacity and the actual number of pilgrims registered as having Haj permits. All pilgrims must be registered with the company renting the building. When renting buildings close to Mina, the company must provide documentation that includes its pilgrims’ names, nationalities, permit numbers and phone numbers, as well as a copy of the contract between the company and the building’s owner and a map showing the building’s location.
The ministry began designating the locations set for Haj companies at the holy sites for this year’s Haj yesterday.
Schools can’t be used to house pilgrims
