Determining Authority Concerned with Pilgrims' Residences

The National Tawafa Establishments and National Guides Establishment were in charge of providing accommodation for pilgrims. However, certain irregularities in their conduct resulted in the relegation of such responsibility directly to the Hajj missions. This, in turn, has led to abuse of this responsibility by certain missions and the emergence of a parasitic class from amongst the accommodation groups in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and has made it difficult to plan and supervise this major Hajj service.

The Ministry is seeking to restore this responsibility to the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs as part of the restructuring of such establishments, as this would facilitate supervision and follow up of same, would make sure that the criteria governing them are adhered to, and would preclude competition over prices, as this would harm landlords and an important sector of the national and local economy.

The Ministry of Hajj will also seek to include the responsibility for licensing the accommodation of pilgrims to the Ministry of Hajj, in view of the fact that this represents a basic sector of Hajj services.