MAKKAH — Several development projects in Makkah and other holy sites will immensely benefit pilgrims coming here for Umrah and Haj, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah Province, has said. Prince Khaled, who is also adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Central Haj Committee, said the projects would also make the task of those organizing and supervising services offered to the pilgrims much easier. The emir was addressing a press conference following an inspection tour of the holy sites to check on the readiness of different agencies and sectors for this year's Haj season, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday. Prince Khaled said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman gives all attention and care to the development of the holy sites. The inspection tour of Prince Khaled was also meant to ensure the preparedness of all sectors to provide maximum ease and comfort to pilgrims to enable them perform their Haj rites in an atmosphere of tranquility and peace of mind. Prince Khaled also thanked Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier, minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee. He thanked the members of the Central Haj Committee for the great efforts they exerted to upgrade the services to the level that suits the guests of Allah in the holy lands. He thanked Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz for the mega projects in the holy sites. Prince Khaled stressed that the directives of King Salman and the Crown Prince are very clear. Nothing that clouds the devotion and security of the pilgrims will be permitted at all. He said that all the administrations are working hard honestly and sincerely. They are exerting their utmost to carry out their duties perfectly. He prayed to Allah to accept the pilgrims' Haj and that they return to their respective countries safely. He prayed to Allah Almighty to help all in developing the projects in the holy sites so that they reach the standards aspired by the King. Makkah Development Authority, Prince Khaled said, has many ideas and projects whose preliminary studies will be presented to the King to develop the holy sites. He added that the campaign titled "Haj is worship and civilized conduct" has yielded many positive results and delivered its message excellently. The evidence for this is the decrease in the number of those who try to perform Haj illegally. Prince Khaled said eight hospitals and 128 health centers in the holy sites are ready. The emir inspected all the facilities for receiving pilgrims in Mina and Muzdalifa. The tour began at Al-Balad Al-Amin Hospitality Project, considered to be the strategic food center in Makkah. It has been established to provide balanced and healthy hot meals of high quality to the pilgrims. Prince Khaled also toured 11 projects. They included the project for providing shade on the ascending slope for Al-Mashaer Train No.3 in Mina, project for expansion of the western courtyard of the Jamarat and the stages reached in carrying out these projects. He discussed the plans and strategies for the project to organize the movement of masses in Mina and Muzdalifa. Prince Khaled inspected the progress in the 36,000 restrooms project in the holy sites. The tour concluded with a visit to the Mount of Mercy area. He checked the additions to be introduced in the Mashaer Train Project during the current season.
