Jeddah, November 04: More than 1.5 million pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom for this year’s Haj through King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad Airport in Madinah, said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Haj Terminal at KAIA, the governor said he hoped the squatting of pilgrims in public places would end soon as a result of the measures taken by the government, including the Haj permit system.
He also referred to the precautionary measures taken by the Civil Defense and other agencies to protect pilgrims from flash floods. “All Haj-related departments have taken measures to face any eventualities during the Haj season,” he added.
Prince Khaled, who was accompanied by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed and Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy, inspected the arrangements being made at the Haj Terminal to serve pilgrims.
The Makkah governor also opened a new unit to combat forgery at the Haj terminal. Col. Khalafullah Al-Tuwairaki, commander of passport officers at the terminal, briefed Prince Khaled on the unit’s mission and facilities.
Abdullah Rehaimi, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said his organization is currently implementing a 34-day Haj operation plan.
He said the Haj Terminal, which spreads over an area of 90,000 square meters, could receive 3,800 pilgrims per hour.
On Wednesday, the governor visited the Jeddah Islamic Port and received a group of pilgrims who came from Sudan by ship.
Prince Khaled also inspected the expansion of the port’s northern container station, which is being implemented at a cost of SR543 million. He laid the foundation for a laser inspection system at the port’s Red Sea Gateway for Containers. The project will cost SR44.19 million.
Addressing a ceremony on the occasion, Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by Jeddah Islamic Port.
Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said a meeting of heads of health departments was held in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss how to implement the directive of Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, with regard to coordinating health services offered by various government departments to the guests of God.
The meeting reviewed the preparations of the various departments for Haj and efforts to combat infectious diseases.
“The meeting also decided to establish a unified department for the transfer of emergency cases, which will be based at Mina Emergency Hospital,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, traffic police have finalized traffic plans for this year’s Haj. Maj. Gen. Suleiman Al-Ajlan, assistant commander of traffic during Haj, said vehicles that are not licensed to carry pilgrims would be impounded until Dul Hijjah 12 and fined SR1,500 if found at the entrance to Makkah and SR3,000 for those at the entrances of the holy sites.
He said there would be changes in the traffic plan this year because of the new monorail, adding that the Mashair Railway will carry at least 160,000 pilgrims this year.
-Agencies