Magnificent Hajj works of Saudi government hailed
Dr. Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Shaikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, praised today the great efforts made by the Saudi Government to serve pilgrims and provide all facilities to them at the Two Holy Mosques and other sacred places during every Hajj season.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr Al Al-Sheikh, who is also head of the Supreme Committee for the work of the ministry during the Hajj season, hailed the magnificent works being made by the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, and his Crown Prince to overcome difficulties that might be faced by the pilgrims in all holy places.
He said the mega-projects constructed in the Holy Lands is the best witness to the Saudi Government attention of Islam and Muslims, in particular the expansion and renovation of the Two Holy Mosques and other holy places; the fire-resistance tents developed for the convenience of pilgrims, and the unprecedented Jamrat bridge project which is to achieve the highest degree of safety and comfort of pilgrims, and is one of the giant projects in the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
Within the framework of a comprehensive system of the Kingdom's efforts in the service of pilgrims came the plan of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, which is keen to be integrated and coordinated with all the efforts of different sectors in terms of the plan for the pilgrimage season, starting from the overall objectives; the follow up of the instructions of the authority in the recruitment of all energies and capabilities to provide the best services to the guests of Rahman (pilgrims) to facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals properly and in ease and comfort.
He pointed out that works and efforts of the Ministry for Hajj season vary between services and awareness campaign, starting from the arrival of pilgrims to Saudi territories and continuing until they return home. "This mission will be done by a large number of sub-committees emanating from the ministry's Supreme Committee for pilgrimage, to carry on awareness and guidance program."
"Moreover, the ministry has equipped a large number of outreach centers in all places where the pilgrims stay. Hundreds of preachers work as committees' guides around the clock with the help of the Ministry's interpretators in multiple languages in addition to the distribution of millions of books and means of propagation through the Pilgrims Gift project for them since arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until departure to their countries.
Dr Al Al-Sheikh said the ministry's plan also includes the operation of a large number of outreach and counseling centers for those coming through various entry points of the Kingdom's territories, sea, air and Ihram Stations (Meqats); all neighborhoods of Makkah and Madinah and the yards of the Two Holy Mosques; sub-centers in the yards of some mosques and holy shrines; Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina in addition to the centers erected where the guests of Rahman (pilgrims) come across or stay at.
Dr Al Al-Sheikh also pointed out that, all those responsible for these programs in the ministry, realize the importance of improving performance and awareness program so as to reply quickly to pilgrims' inquiries through modern approaches and in different languages.
"The ministry's plan to raise awareness in the first phase includes distributing Hajj rituals books at all entry points of air, land, and sea in Kingdom. Under this phase, the Ministry has allocated more than 5 million printed books in 25 universal languages in addition to one million audio and video cassettes. Under its second phase, the Ministry will distribute approximately 11 million copies of the Glorious QURAN published at King Fahd complex for Printing the Glorious QURAN, besides AL-Hajj Gift Project which contains a package each for every pilgrim, comprising four Islamic books and a number of tapes explaining the pillars of Islam in the targeted language," he added.
He noted that the plan includes awareness-raising programs to educate pilgrims about their religion and how to perform Hajj and Umrah, answer questions and religious inquiries, through lectures, seminars, lessons and speeches, field visits to answer personal and religious questions as well as make available most of the state-run radios and televisions and satellite channels to spread further awareness programs.