29th November 2009 - Governor of Makkah Region announces success of this year's Hajj (SPA)

Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 29/11/2009
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Makkah Region, who is also Chairman of Hajj Central Committee, today announced the success of this year"s Hajj season, forwarding his congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who is also Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee, on the success of this year"s Hajj.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal also congratulated all pilgrims on the occasion.
In a press conference at the Governorate branch headquarters in Mina, on the outskirts of the city of Makkah, he said this great scene reflects the real picture of Islam where people in their white garments have come from different places, cultures and ethnic origins to perform the same ritual in the same place and at the same time in peace, security and fraternity, all seeking the forgiveness and contentment of Allah Almighty.
The Governor of Makkah Region extended thanks to all persons and authorities who took part in the provision of diversified services for pilgrims.
He said that several new services were offered to this year's and the coming year's pilgrims, citing a new road leading to Jamarat area (where the replica of the devil is stoned by pilgrims), phase V of Jamarat bridge, the expansion of the Masa"a (two-pronged passage between the two holy mountains of Safa and Marwa in the vicinity of Kaaba (House of God), start of King Abdullah expansion project of the Holy Haram, new expansion of Pilgrims Lounge at King Abdulaziz International airport in Jeddah, commencement of the Madina-Makkah railway, opening of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah and Mina Valley Hospital.
On the organizational side, Prince Khalid said our slogan of last year of "No Hajj without permission" was more successful this year. Trucks with less than 25-passenger capacity were not allowed to enter the sacred area, giving room for smoother traffic than before, he said. However, it was noticed that corporate service trucks, tolling more than 18,000 might be over need, he added.
In this regard, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal announced that the number of pilgrims coming from abroad this year reached 1,613,000, the number of those who threw Jamarat (stones) were estimated at 2,521,000, out of whom 1,767,000 were regular pilgrims. This means that some 753,000 pilgrims were not holding Hajj permits, he said, adding that with more strictness on entry regulation, the number will dramatically be reduced next year.
He paid tribute to the local and foreign media for their coverage of the great event, hoping to see more professionalism and skillfulness in the years ahead.
On the situation of swine flu in Hajj areas, the Governor of Makkah Region said about 68 have contracted the disease, out of whom five passed away because of the swine flu, describing the situation as normal in the context of the huge number who assembled in the same place for at least five days.
On the state expenditure on Hajj, he said billions of Saudi Riyals were spent every year, citing the Jamarat bridge worth SR4.4 billion, sacred places railway estimated at SR6.7 billion, the experimental residential towers in Mina, the repairs and maintenance of the city of Makkah after Hajj is over, and the flood drainage project in Mina and Arafat which will be completed in the years to come.
He said the Ministry of Health has recruited 17,000 personnel, the Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry 22,000 and the Public Security 100,000 to serve the guests of God.
Given this history, the Kingdom ranked as the world"s first in the management of crowds, he said, citing requests from several countries of the world to have Saudi experts giving lectures on ways of running this kind of peaceful crowds.
Prince Khalid gave an account of a number of developmental projects scheduled to be implemented next year or in the near future in the sacred places, including a railway network linking Madinah, Jeddah, Makkah and the round trip of Mina-Arafat-Muzdalifa-Mina.
He also warned violators of Hajj permit, Hajj traffic or Hajj residence regulations that they would face punishment.
In conclusion, he reiterated that this year"s Hajj season has not seen any incident causing inconvenience or worry to pilgrims, appealing to Allah Almighty to accept their worship and lead them safe to their homes and families after having successfully performed Islam"s fifth pillar.
The conference was attended by Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal; Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal; and senior Makkah Governorate officials.

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