Jeddah, November 12: Crowds are returning to Jeddah after a period of calm over the past few days. The city is pulsating with life as groups of pilgrims return from the holy sites where they completed their Haj rituals.
There is heavy traffic at the bus and taxi stations in downtown Balad and Kilo 10. Traffic personnel have been deployed at major roads and junctions to organize the flow of traffic.
Despite the dense traffic and crowds of pilgrims, the taxi fares are reasonable – almost at the level of normal days.
Syrian pilgrim Abdullah Qusti and Egyptian Hanafi Mitwalli were impressed with the fares. Mitwalli said that the bus fare from Makkah to Madina is SR100, to Riyadh SR200 and to the Eastern Province only SR250.
A large number of pilgrims were in Balad District to visit the traditional markets while others were at the Corniche enjoying the scenery and weather before their departure home.
They will take home memories of Haj and also souvenirs including prayer beads, prayer carpets, watches, clocks and clothes.
However, the most valuable thing they take with them is a copy of the Holy Qur’an, a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Courtesy: Saudi Gazette