Pilgrims hail vast range of services during Hajj
A number of pilgrims from various parts of the world have lauded the vast range of services and facilities available to them during the performance of Hajj rituals in Makkah and other holy places.
They said this year's arrangements for Hajj exceeded their perceptions compared to what they had heard from their predecessors' - pilgrims who performed earlier the pilgrimage.
A large number of them who had already performed the Hajj in recent years, have said they are deeply surprised at the evolution of the great transformation and changes at the Holy Sites and the progress accomplished in spheres of medical services, perfect security coverage and safety measures.
They praised the blessings of Allah Almighty and expressed their gratitude for the attention and care extended to the pilgrims by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz.
The pilgrims expressed their feelings and pleasure on the gigantic facilities and services offered by the Saudi Government and the concerned Hajj bodies in the Kingdom, in statements given to reporters of the Saudi Press Agency.
The Pilgrims were thrilled to witness the construction of the new phases of Jamarat bridge, other bridges and road networks in the Holy Places, which eased their movements and facilitated performance of Hajj rituals in comfort.
They admired the constant progress and improvement in provision of services by various government bodies and institutions from year to year. In this context, the pilgrims singled out security men who care for the comfort of pilgrims. "They make great and commendable efforts to facilitate travel between the holy places and ensure their safety and comfort in carrying out Hajj rituals in a lively atmosphere of security and our strong faith in the religion of Islam."
Ahmed Abdullah, a businessman from Nigeria said he performed Hajj this year for the first time and expressed his gratitude, thanks and appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia and the various security agencies. He praised the substantial medical assistance and other facilities provided to pilgrims in Madinah, Makkah and the holy places.
Mahdi Nasr El-Din of Dagestan, an educationist said he performed Hajj this year for the seventh time in his life, adding that he watches every time incredible developments in Makkah and Madinah despite enormous increase in the number of pilgrims every year.
He thanked the Kingdom's leadership and government for varied services for pilgrims in spheres of security and health as well as other facilities for them.
For his part, Saeed Abdul-Qader, an Indian from Hyderabad city said this is second Hajj after gap of 30 years.
He said he is impressed by large-scale facilities offered to pilgrims in Madinah, Makkah and the holy places and thanked the Saudi leadership for their constant care and attention for them.
B. Yovona, a British national and Muslim, said this is her second Hajj as she performed the first one three years ago. She said she is amazed at the level of services and facilities as well as wonderful and great developments in the holy places.
She expressed the gratitude and appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia and its various security and health organs. She lauded the completion of the first phase of the Jamarat bridge in Mina, which easily and comfortably accommodated such a huge number of pilgrims and ease performance of the stone-throwing ritual.
On his part, Hisham Shaltout, an Egyptian architect, said one can not imagine the fast track of developments, expansion of over all services, and progress at the Jamarat bridge. He singled out the efforts of the security bodies to regulate the flow of the pilgrims at the Jamarat and said the first phase of the Jamarat bridge project is another crown of success for the Kingdom and its leadership for providing comfortable facilities and services to pilgrims.
Mohammed Ahmed, an Egyptian mechanical engineer said he performed the pilgrimage for the first time and thought that this year's organization of the pilgrimage was definitely a quantum leap over the past years.
Another Egyptian engineer Mohamed Motaz working in a construction company in Cairo, who performed the Hajj for the second time, said he witnessed a lot of progress and development in health, security and scouts services since his first Hajj in 1398 AH.
On his part, Khalil Abu Kassim, who works for the Sudanese Ministry of Education lauded the completion of the first phase of the Jamarat bridge and said he completed the ritual of throwing pea-sized pebbles at Jamarat Al-Aqaba within 10 to 15 minutes this year.
He praised the excellent organization at the bridge and praised also its architectural design.
For his part, Ashraf Ahmed, an Egyptian accountant from Cairo who had previously performed the pilgrimage five years ago said the organization of this year's Hajj is "very special."
"It is heartening to witness bill-board and neon-signs directions for pilgrims on all routes of the holy places. Moreover, the Jamarat bridge project looks incredible. It is also pleasing to note the high-level of Hajj organization this year and the great efforts of the security men to prevent over-crowding and preventing carrying of bags."
He noted that he completed the throwing of pebbles ritual at the Jamarat of Al-Aqaba within 10 minutes on record-time completion of the first phase of the bridge project.