ZHUL-QI’DA 25, 1429 A.H.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2008
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Fireproof tents to be built in Arafat
Habeeb Zainul Abideen, undersecretary at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, has emphasized the government’s plan to establish permanent tents in Arafat.
“We have a plan to change the face of Arafat with several new projects, which includes the construction of fireproof tents with walls around them,” he said, adding that the projects would cost SR1.4 billion.
Zainul Abideen said the ministry would complete the rainwater drainage project in Arafat soon after this Hajj. “We have already spent about SR170 million on the project that aims at protecting pilgrims from flash floods,” he explained.
The official said four levels of the Jamrat Bridge had been completed and would be used this season.
Zainul Abideen, who is also acting secretary-general of the Higher Authority for the Development of Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites, said the first level of the bridge would be used by pilgrims coming from eastern Mina while the second level by pilgrims coming from Makkah and western Mina.
“We have constructed four entrances to the third level, which will receive pilgrims from northern Mina and the residential buildings in the area,” he said, adding that the fourth level will be used by pilgrims in southern Mina and on the side of Muaisem Road.
Although there are only two weeks left before the start of Haj, many service providers are still awaiting allocation of tents in Mina by the Haj Ministry.
“The fee paid to the ministry for a tent ranges from SR1,500 to SR8,000 depending on the category,” a Haj service company owner told Asharq Al-Awsat daily.
A medium tent, covering an area of 16 square meters, will accommodate 10 pilgrims.
Maher Al-Khayyat, administrative manager at the ministry in Makkah, said tents in Mina would be distributed among service companies, depending on their positions in the annual ranking on the basis of a review of services provided to the pilgrims.
“Those companies that have won the first 10 positions will have the right to pick their tents first,” Al-Khayyat said. Then the next 10 positions will have their turns.
The rest of the companies will be allocated tents after holding a draw.
In a related development, the Health Ministry has appointed 250 officials to update information about pilgrims being admitted to hospitals in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
