Emir of Makkah: Hajj 2013 services 'unprecedented'

The logistical services offered during this year’s hajj pilgrimage are “unprecedented” in the history of the annual Muslim gathering, said Prince Khaled al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, in an interview with Al Arabiya broadcast on Thursday.

About 225,000 employees are working this year to serve more than two million pilgrims expected to attend the hajj.

Prince Khaled said there are eight hospitals and 96 medical centers in the holy land, which includes Mina, Mozdalefa, and Arafat, ready to deal with all sorts of health conditions that may arise during hajj.

Prince Khaled said security forces have taken measures to prevent people without hajj permit from entering Makkah. He said 15,000 people without proper licenses were denied entry to the holy lands and 63 fake hajj campaigns were broken up in the city of Dammam.

“We appreciate the efforts of various security and service sectors...and we affirm that anyone who breaks hajj regulations will be deterred,” he said.

Last week, Prince Khaled launched a series of hajj activities, including an exhibition, workshop, meetings and lectures with the theme, “Haj: a worship and a civilized behavior.”

Inaugurating a campaign of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques for this year’s Haj here, the Emir emphasized that Saudi leaders are preoccupied with the development of Makkah, making available all facilities and services for pilgrims.

“The government and the people of Saudi Arabia see serving pilgrims as a great honor as well as a big trust put on them, and hence it was included as a top priority in the Kingdom’s development and strategic plans,” he said, the Saudi Gazette reported.