Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, announced Saturday that the Mina Expansion Project will start next year and will see the Tent City able to accommodate more pilgrims. At a press conference Saturday morning, after the launch of the “Haj is worship and civilized behavior” awareness campaign, Prince Khaled said a number of experts have been recruited to determine shortcomings in the services provided for the Guests of Allah. The results of this study will be included in the plans of the King Abdullah Project for the Development of Makkah. He said that the number of pilgrims performing Haj without permits had declined last year. He said those performing Haj without permits were encroaching on the rights of other people. He said riots and anarchy during this Haj will not be tolerated. Authorities would combat all kinds of violations and bad practices during the upcoming Haj such as unauthorized pilgrims squatting on roads, the Emir said. The government has prepared plans aimed at increasing the comfort of pilgrims, he said. “Whoever intends to perform Haj should obey the rules and regulations,” he said. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Nasser Al-Arfaj, commander of the Haj security forces, said a special security unit has been set up to prevent individuals who do not possess valid Haj permits from entering Makkah and other holy places. “We have deployed 400 officers to monitor and stop those who try to sneak into the Haj zone through desert roads,” he said, adding that desert roads would be monitored from the air. At a press conference in Mina on Saturday, Gen. Al-Arfaj said there are some changes in this year's Haj security plan compared to last year, especially in traffic and transport matters, after conducting extensive studies along with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
