Saudi Arabia/Hajj 2011: Pilgrims must leave by Muharram 15: Minister of Hajj

JEDDAH, 24 Dhul Qadah/22 Oct (IINA) – To prevent overstaying in the Kingdom, airlines will have to provide financial guarantees that they will transport Hajj pilgrims to their home countries by Muharram 15, 1433H (approximately Dec. 10, 2011), Dr. Fuad Bin Abdul-Salam Al-Farsi, Minister of Hajj, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

He said this measure will be implemented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) because it is the body responsible for air transport. The measure was recommended by committees consisting of several authorities, including the Ministry of Hajj.

Speaking at the sixth workshop held to organize and manage stoning of the Jamarat this Hajj, Al-Farsi said his ministry has made all the necessary preparations for pilgrims to perform Hajj from countries undergoing political upheavals and changes in their regulations. Pilgrims from these countries, which include Egypt and Tunisia, have already arrived in the Kingdom. In addition, a memorandum has been signed for the passage of Libyan pilgrims.

The minister said 1.8 million pilgrims are expected to come for Hajj this year.
Al-Farsi urged domestic pilgrim companies to set aside a percentage of their allocation for the Facilitated Hajj (Al-Hajj Al-Muyassar) Program, launched by the ministry two years ago. The program is being monitored by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region.

Meanwhile, Dr. Habib Bin Zain Al-Abideen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs for Development, said there are plans to set up toilets and service centers in the towers of the Jamarat Bridge for emergency cases.

Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Qarni, Commander of the Civil Defense forces in Hajj, presented a working paper highlighting the plans and programs approved by the Directorate of Civil Defense for the Hajj season. The emergency forces presented a working paper on plans for crowd management at the Jamarat Bridge and other emergencies.

Participants at the workshop included Public Security, Traffic Department, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Ministry of Transport, Makkah Mayoralty, Zamazima Office, United Agencies Office, General Cars Syndicate, Domestic Pilgrims’ Tawafa Establishment, and Tawafa establishments for pilgrims from Southeast Asia, Africa, Arab countries, Europe and America.

During the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah, millions of people will be gathered in a limited geographical area with basic living conditions.

In previous years, there have been outbreaks of infectious diseases during Hajj. This year, Hajj will take place 4-9th November.

Here is some simple travel advice for pilgrims travelling from United States:

• Have up-to-date vaccinations against the diseases tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio (boosters are recommended every 10th year). Some people may also need the MMR vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine.
• Saudi Arabian health authorities require vaccination against meningococcal meningitis for anyone over 2 years. An international vaccination certificate must be carried during the journey. The Menveo (meningococcal meningitis A+C+W+Y conjugate vaccine) is recommended for adolescents over 11 years old and adults. This is more effective than the meningococcal meningitis A+C+W+Y polysaccharide vaccine (Mencevax ACWY), particularly among adolescents. Data about use of the vaccine for younger children is also available and it is expected that Menveo will be approved for children under 11 years old in 2012. The individual doctor may consider giving Menveo to children between 2 and 11 years. In special cases, Mencevax ACWY vaccine can be ordered with an approval exemption.
• Meningococcal meningitis vaccine must be given in the period between three years and ten days before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
• Bring a first aid package that includes sufficient amounts of any regular medication, and medication for diarrhoea, including salts for oral rehydration solutions.
• Have valid travel insurance.
• Saudi Arabian health authorities also require pilgrims to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza, containing influenza A H1N1.
• Exercise caution if you consume meals at improvised restaurants.
• Buy bottled water. It is easily accessible and affordable.

The same advice applies at Umrah even though the population there will be smaller.

All Hajjis must leave Madinah 2 days before Hajj to come to Makkah. At that time, hotels in Makkah (withing walking distance of the Haram) are very expensive, so we choose to keep our Hajjis in a building, all of which is leased by us. This building is in an area called Shisha, which is 10 minutes walking distance from our tents, and you will have access to these during Hajj. (Showers, bathrooms, etc.) – And it is a 10-30 minute car ride from the Haram, depending on the traffic. Other tour operators must do the same, but they keep you in an area called Aziziyah, which is 30-40 minutes walk from the tents and the same from the Haram. – Although ALL tour operators MUST provide residence to everyone, El Madina chooses to pay more and have a building within 10 minutes from our tents. – Talk to other Hajjis, so you understand what a great convenience this is!

The tents in the Deluxe Package are 10 minutes from the Jamarat (Bridge of Stoning, where we will go for 3 days) and 10 minutes from the Resident Building. The tents in the Economy Package are 45 minutes (each way) from the Jamarat and 55 minutes from the Resident Building. Also, in Makkah, the hotel in the Deluxe Package is 3-4 minutes away and Economy Package is about 10 minutes away.

The Hajj pilgrimage is the world’s largest annual religious gathering of its kind in the world. Each year over three million Muslims from around the world gather in Makkah. This year the Hajj is estimated to fall between 4 and 9 November 2011.

The Public Health Agency advises that all pilgrims aged two years and older are required to show proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis ACW135Y for the purposes of Hajj.

This vaccine should have been received not more than three years and not less then ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia, and should be recorded in a vaccination book showing the traveler’s full name.

Hajj inculcates the spirit of love and devotion to the One and Only Lord. It unifies peoples’ minds and hearts on almost the same purposes; to please Almighty Allah and to have their sins forgiven. All those who perform Hajj, despite their differences in ethnicity, culture, and language, share the same rites and hopes. Even those who do not perform Hajj turn their hearts and eyes towards the Ka’bah. Therefore, Hajj unifies the minds and hearts of all Muslims towards this great pillar of Islam. The following are some of the most important benefits of Hajj:

1. It deepens our awareness of the Oneness of Allah and helps us to be God-centered;
2. It teaches us the oneness of the human family under the Lordship of One God;
3. It helps us to develop a feeling of universal human brotherhood;
4. Finally, it enables us to renew our faith by making us aware of the transient nature of this life and our final standing before the Lord on the Day of Judgment.