Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of Hajj supreme committee, welcomed all pilgrims, wishing them successful pilgrimage. In his Hajj annual press conference, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz confirmed the preparedness of all government authorities concerned of Hajj that they are ready to exert every effort to make Hajj a pleasant journey for all pilgrims. He thanked God Almighty that He offered this country a prudent leadership, honest government and dedicated people to serve pilgrims. Saudi authorities always expect an increase in the number of pilgrims and are always ready to serve them, he said, urging pilgrims to adhere to the regulations of the host country. In response to a question, the Minister of Interior said he doesn't expect pilgrims who are definitely devoted to worshipping to be involved in politics or being affected with the surrounding developments that might mar their devotion. He denied knowledge of the deliberate absence of Syria's official Hajj delegation. The Minister of Hajj might be informed of this, he said. But what I can confirm is that the Saudi government has not prevented any Syria official delegation or Syrian individuals or any Muslim who would like to perform the rite from coming from Syria or any other place, he added. He dashed out fears that a squabble could arise in Hajj areas between Sunnis and Shiite in view of the current tension in the region, saying that Iran has confirmed to Saudi Arabia that it would be more keen to keep the comfort of pilgrims. He denied that Saudi Arabia has recruited additional security reinforcements around the residences of Iranian pilgrims. Security reinforcements are brought to help the traffic and services but never designed against any sect or group of people from any Islamic country due to political ends or differences, he said. Asked to cast light on Iranian infiltrators to the Kingdom along the eastern coast, he said investigations are still underway into the incident. We have so far been informed that they claim that they have come to look for work in Kuwait, but the boatman dropped them at the Saudi side of the border with Kuwait and sailed his way back, the minister said, adding that they were apprehended by border guard of Saudi Arabia who started investigating them. Even the boatman was chased and brought into custody of the Saudi authority, he said, adding that 'however, we it did appear to us that they might have bad intentions'. He urged pilgrims who have previously performed Hajj to give chance to others. The Minister of Interior and Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee welcomed participation of youth delegations from the Islamic countries in Hajj seasons to serve the pilgrims. On the number of pilgrims from Nigeria, the minister said Nigerian pilgrims in years ago were among the largest numbers of pilgrims and the most organized, prepared and equipped, but events that took place in that country have affected the number of pilgrims. In answer to a question about what happened regarding the detention and deaths of Nigerian women at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, the minister said, 'First, I regret very much and feel pain if what you have mentioned is true regarding the service and the deaths. Deaths occur every day for pilgrims and others, this is the will of Almighty Allah, and Allah knows the reasons, but I think nobody died because of their detention at the airport as there are places in the airport ready for waiting because of delay of flights.' The minister said that most Nigerian women who were refused entry to the kingdom to perform Hajj were girls who came without muharam (legal male relative) and their ages were less than 35 years old and this is contrary to the general legal rule, wishing them performance of this duty in the future. The minister added, 'I will ask of the Governor of Makkah and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee to investigate this matter thoroughly, and if any of it is true, anyone responsible for this should be punished.' Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz commented on of Muslim countries' quotas of number of pilgrims, saying that 'there are temporary increases and that the core portion for each Islamic country did not decrease but increases as some states reduced the number of their pilgrims, allowing for other countries to ask for more to balance out the proportions,' noting that this year in particular, there is an increase in the request of numbers of pilgrims from Muslim countries, which forced the kingdom to stick to the set limit for each country due to the ongoing work in the tow holy mosques, noting that in the next year or the one after it, there will be more pressure until these works are accomplished to accommodate the largest number of pilgrims, Allah willing. Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz said that illegal infiltration of many pilgrims during the pilgrimage season is due to the inability of some to join pilgrimage campaigns for the high costs, noting that the regulation is not intended to prevent pilgrims, but to ascertain them and ensure the best service for them. He also asserted that this regulation by the authorities aims at serving pilgrims and must be obeyed, drawing attention to the Kingdom's great efforts to serve the pilgrims and guide them to the correct ways to perform the rituals. The Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee called for reconsideration of the services and prices offered by the Hajj campaigns. He stressed that the Ministry of Interior's priority is the stability in the kingdom. On construction in Mina, Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz said that studies on this issue are conducted by the Hajj Research Centre. On spreading awareness among pilgrims coming from abroad, he said the Ministry of Hajj and the competent authorities discuss this issue with the Hajj missions. Recently, effects were felt, he said praising efforts by countries in this field. He highlighted the importance of awareness in Hajj urging the Islamic countries to spread awareness among their pilgrims for their own interest. On the possibility of controls for pilgrims in the future in light of events in some Arab countries, he explained that pilgrims come to perform Hajj and are not expected to go beyond that and harm others. He stressed that in case, a pilgrim violated this, he will be stopped, stressing that efforts are exerted by all to prevent this, and if it happens, it will be limited and can be controlled, Allah willing. In response to a question about warnings by UN and Arab envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on the possibility of the expansion of the Syrian issue to include countries in the region and actions to be taken by the kingdom on the local and international arenas, he answered, 'Regarding the events that Brahimi and others said will include everyone, this statement is exaggerated and untrue. Events occurred in other countries and major wars erupted; however, evil ended and good remained and good triumphed over evil, thank Allah, and Allah willing, the fire of sedition will be extinguished in Syria and we wish well for every Arab and Islamic country and the whole world.' On trying to politicize Hajj, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee, said, 'Nothing has been proved to us on this issue. This is said in some countries or some quarters say it. It is not necessarily an established fact that they want to politicize the pilgrimage because the first to refuse the pilgrimage are pilgrims themselves whether from the country in which this is said or other countries. Automatic refusal is what is happening. There are some pilgrims who gather and walk and a scholar or guide speak to them on Arafat or in their camps, and this is found in all the camps and there are guides who answer the questions and urge them to do good, Allah willing.' He added, 'Of course, any one trying to take advantage of the pilgrimage for political matters, we'll have to keep him at bay, which could lead to taking him away from the pilgrimage season. This happened in the past. We hope that this is not repeated. In recent years, we noticed that everyone adheres for their benefit and the benefit of their pilgrims. Pilgrims from other countries get very angry if any one tries to exploit the pilgrimage for political matters. Thus, it reverberates badly on any state or group trying this. I think it would be wise to avert it and they will avert it in the coming years, Allah willing.'
