In steps to streamline Haj accommodation in areas close to Mina, the Ministry of Haj has prevented domestic Haj companies and establishments from renting rest areas, wedding halls and buildings unless they have a license authorized by the Civil Defense.

The ministry has put in place 15 conditions for renting areas in the vicinity of Mina which are normally used by Haj establishments to accommodate domestic pilgrims.

The ministry has stipulated that buildings allocated for pilgrims’ accommodation should be licensed by the housing committee and that the operators have a copy of the permit.

Secondly, the number of pilgrims in a building should be within the stated limit as defined by the housing committee.

Companies are also required to present a list of the pilgrims’ names and information regarding their permit numbers, nationalities and phone numbers.

In addition, they should also present a copy of the lease and a map of the location including the name of the person responsible for the building and supplying him with a copy of the regulatory documents.

They should hand him the schedule which states the pilgrims’ arrival and departure times, the log of which may be submitted to supervisors if necessary.

Further, the company is charged with presenting a list of workers and their personal documents in addition to contracts signed with them.

They should provide security and make it mandatory for all workers and security guards to wear a uniform.

Companies should also put up signs with the name of the company, the permit number and the number of pilgrims.

They should take care of the building’s hygiene by putting waste in allocated places, park vehicles of the establishments outside the housing area and present documents to the general directorate for domestic pilgrims as soon as their locations are defined, but no later than Oct. 21, 2014. Additionally, they should not use unapproved names.

Mohammad Al-Beijawi, secretary general of the Ministry of Haj, Madinah branch, disclosed that a unified gate for external pilgrims will be implemented this year. He said that the ministry is using modern technology to complete all its contracts with other countries through its electronic portal.

Work is still under way to draft technical plans and the project is being done in coordination with the geographic information system (GPS) to cover all pilgrims, Al-Beijawi said.

The ministry will offer a bundle of services to pilgrims, including services and accommodation to achieve the highest level of transparency and accuracy, to guarantee pilgrims’ rights and to make sure they enjoy all the services.

 
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