The first groups of Haj pilgrims are expected
to arrive by the end of this week between Aug. 22 and 27 ________________________
Keep away from politics, pilgrims told 
Pilgrims at Jabal al-Rahmah on Arafat Day - Hajj 2011
20 August 2013 - 13 Shawwal 1434 H
MAKKAH — Haj Minister Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar has warned all Haj missions against violating the agreements signed with Saudi Arabia, represented by his ministry, to prevent politicizing the Haj season. Under the agreements, no demonstrations would be allowed in Makkah, Madinah or the Holy Sites during the entire Haj season.
Talking to journalists after a tour of two Tawafa establishments in Makkah recently, the minister said the Kingdom signs agreements with Haj missions before the commencement of every season to prevent any political activity during the Haj season.
"We hope that all the Haj missions will fully obey these instructions," Hajjar said.
During his tour, aimed at assessing the preparedness to serve pilgrims, Hajjar visited the Tawafa establishments for Southeast Asian and Arab pilgrims. He was accompanied by senior ministry officials.
"This tour is aimed at assessing the readiness of all the Tawafa establishments to receive pilgrims and provide them with excellent services. We have been briefed about the programs of these establishments and will complete the tour to visit all the other establishments," he said.
The minister stressed the importance of checking all the accommodation facilities before the arrival of the pilgrims. "There should also be a sufficient number of highly qualified and well-trained security guards at all accommodation for pilgrims in Makkah and the Holy Sites," he said, stressing the importance of keeping these places clean and tidy.
Hajjar said his ministry has more than 300 field teams monitoring the performance of the Tawafa establishments to ensure that complete services are being provided to the pilgrims.
The minister praised the use of the electronic program for the grouping of pilgrims that the ministry had successfully used during this Umrah season. "This program was very successful in monitoring the arrival and departure of pilgrims. More than 5 million Umrah pilgrims were electronically grouped," he said.
Hajjar noted that King Abdulaziz International Airport was never overcrowded during the whole Umrah season. He said only 70,000 Umrah pilgrims have yet to leave the Kingdom. "All of them will leave for their respective home countries before the end of the Umrah season," the minister said.
Asked if the ministry would compensate Umrah companies for any financial losses they may have incurred as a result of the 50 percent cut in the number of Umrah pilgrims, Hajjar said the ministry was not responsible for the losses of the companies which did not honor the operational plans approved by the ministry.
The minister pointed out that the Kingdom does not impose any fees or charges for the Haj visas or the services it extends to the pilgrims. "These services are provided free of charge to the pilgrims," he said.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130820177472
Politics at Haj won’t be tolerated
Tuesday 20 August 2013
Saudi Arabia has warned foreign Hajis against politicizing the annual pilgrimage, saying it would not tolerate any move to violate the event’s sanctity and security.
“We have signed agreements with all foreign Haj missions to make sure their pilgrims strictly follow the Kingdom’s regulations,” said Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar.
“Exploiting Haj for political purposes will be a violation of this agreement,” he added.
The minister’s statement is significant as it comes at a time when political disturbances are taking place in many parts of the Muslim world including Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen.
The Saudi regulations strictly ban any type of demonstrations during Haj as such activities disturb the event’s peaceful atmosphere.
Saudi authorities have decided to cut the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 percent and domestic pilgrims by 50 percent this year because of ongoing expansion work at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The first groups of Haj pilgrims are expected to arrive by the end of this week. “We have made arrangements to receive these pilgrims who are scheduled to arrive between Aug. 22 and 27,” said Hatim Al-Qadi, spokesman of the ministry.
The majority of foreign pilgrims will come by air while the remaining by land and sea. The annual pilgrimage comes following a successful Umrah season, which drew more than five million foreigner pilgrims.
According to Al-Qadi, 70,000 of these Umrah pilgrims still remain in Makkah and Madinah. The Kingdom has decided not to give Haj visas to the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases this year in order to prevent the spread of MERS.
“This new rule will be applicable to the forthcoming Haj and the subsequent Umrah seasons,” Health Ministry spokesman Khalid Al-Mirghalani told Arab News.
http://www.arabnews.com/news/461859