MAKKAH — More than 75,000 domestic pilgrims have so far registered with local Haj companies through the electronic gate of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to perform Haj this year, a ministry's source said. He said domestic pilgrims have registered with about 200 licensed local Haj companies. Registration through the portal, which was scheduled to start on Thursday, was interrupted for two days because of the large number of people browsing the site at the same time. Since the restoration of service, more than 700,000 people have visited the site to get acquainted with the services to be provided by local companies. According to the source, the rates range from SR3,015 to SR11,905 depending on the services. Ministry's undersecretary Hussain Al-Sharif warned citizens and expatriates wishing to perform Haj against paying any additional charges other than what has been specified on the website. "All the procedures, including the printing of Haj permits, are automatically done through the website," he said. Meanwhile, a total of 154 companies have started their arrangements to provide food for pilgrims. Mohammed Al-Qurashi, member of the Haj Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the companies make an annual profit of more than SR300 million by providing food to the guests of Allah. He said that the companies have signed catering contracts with Haj missions of various countries and domestic Haj operators. The Private Establishment for Guides in Madinah has prepared 56 facilities to serve pilgrims. The facilities include 17 field service offices, 16 supporting offices, 12 departments, eight committees and three reception centers.
