abdulhakeem
02-11-04, 07:18 PM
Tuesday, 2, November, 2004 (19, Ramadhan, 1425)
Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News
RIYADH, 2 November 2004 — In order to overcome the problem of missing Hajis, authorities are planning to issue pilgrims with magnetic cards that will trace their movements by satellite within the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
“The card is designed for illiterate Haj pilgrims and this would help the Haj organizing groups to locate the pilgrim if they are found missing,” Adviser to the Ministry of Haj Naif Al-Awaygyl told Arab News, adding that a good number of such pilgrims tend to get lost in the massive crowd and find it difficult to return to their accommodation.
He pointed out that the magnetic card which will be linked to Global Positioning Systems (GPS), will track the lost pilgrim immediately. "It is a wireless system carried out by a control room," he said.
The cards will be issued to illiterate pilgrims in addition to the wrist bands issued by the Haj Ministry. These cards should always be in the possession of the pilgrim, the adviser added.
Wrist bands are issued to all foreign pilgrims who come here during the Haj season to serve as identification tags.
The wrist band helps the authorities to read the name of the pilgrim, his nationality and the name of the local Haj agent in Makkah in case he loses his way or meets with an accident.
Al-Awaygyl said the government is taking stern action against Umrah travel operators who are violating regulations.
“These companies are expected to provide the pilgrims with proper accommodation and transport within the holy two cities, “ he said, adding that the violators will be brought to book and penalty imposed or their licenses canceled in case of serious violations. The companies are required to keep a bank guarantee of SR 200,000 as surety against any fines imposed on them.
The Haj Ministry has deployed a special team to book those pilgrims who sleep on the pavements and roadsides and they will be transferred to suitable accommodation at the expense of the respective companies, he said.
Three such companies together with their foreign partners have been questioned on complaints made by pilgrims. “These companies will be punished for their wrong doings,” he said.
Around 7 million Umrah pilgrims are reported every year, out of whom 2.5 million arrive during this season. He pointed out that about 450,000 Umrah pilgrims overstay till the Haj season is over.
“This causes a lot of problems to the authorities,” he said recalling that last year most of the people who died in the stampede in Mina were Umrah overstayers. Most of the overstayers are reported from countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, India and Africa.
The issuance of Umrah visas has been fully computerized and its network is connected to the ministries of interior, Haj, Foreign Affairs and Saudi missions abroad. Al-Awaygyl said that the visa is issued for a period of one month and it could be extended to another month.
The Umrah pilgrims are free to travel to any part of the Kingdom with a covering letter from the sponsoring Umrah travel agent in Makkah, the adviser said.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=53826&d=2&m=11&y=2004
Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News
RIYADH, 2 November 2004 — In order to overcome the problem of missing Hajis, authorities are planning to issue pilgrims with magnetic cards that will trace their movements by satellite within the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
“The card is designed for illiterate Haj pilgrims and this would help the Haj organizing groups to locate the pilgrim if they are found missing,” Adviser to the Ministry of Haj Naif Al-Awaygyl told Arab News, adding that a good number of such pilgrims tend to get lost in the massive crowd and find it difficult to return to their accommodation.
He pointed out that the magnetic card which will be linked to Global Positioning Systems (GPS), will track the lost pilgrim immediately. "It is a wireless system carried out by a control room," he said.
The cards will be issued to illiterate pilgrims in addition to the wrist bands issued by the Haj Ministry. These cards should always be in the possession of the pilgrim, the adviser added.
Wrist bands are issued to all foreign pilgrims who come here during the Haj season to serve as identification tags.
The wrist band helps the authorities to read the name of the pilgrim, his nationality and the name of the local Haj agent in Makkah in case he loses his way or meets with an accident.
Al-Awaygyl said the government is taking stern action against Umrah travel operators who are violating regulations.
“These companies are expected to provide the pilgrims with proper accommodation and transport within the holy two cities, “ he said, adding that the violators will be brought to book and penalty imposed or their licenses canceled in case of serious violations. The companies are required to keep a bank guarantee of SR 200,000 as surety against any fines imposed on them.
The Haj Ministry has deployed a special team to book those pilgrims who sleep on the pavements and roadsides and they will be transferred to suitable accommodation at the expense of the respective companies, he said.
Three such companies together with their foreign partners have been questioned on complaints made by pilgrims. “These companies will be punished for their wrong doings,” he said.
Around 7 million Umrah pilgrims are reported every year, out of whom 2.5 million arrive during this season. He pointed out that about 450,000 Umrah pilgrims overstay till the Haj season is over.
“This causes a lot of problems to the authorities,” he said recalling that last year most of the people who died in the stampede in Mina were Umrah overstayers. Most of the overstayers are reported from countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, India and Africa.
The issuance of Umrah visas has been fully computerized and its network is connected to the ministries of interior, Haj, Foreign Affairs and Saudi missions abroad. Al-Awaygyl said that the visa is issued for a period of one month and it could be extended to another month.
The Umrah pilgrims are free to travel to any part of the Kingdom with a covering letter from the sponsoring Umrah travel agent in Makkah, the adviser said.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=53826&d=2&m=11&y=2004