Fahd Al-Manee' Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – Dr. Bandar Hajjar, Minister of Haj, has denied any curtailment in the quota of Haj pilgrims from Egypt. “There are no intentions to reduce the number of Egyptian pilgrims. Every Muslim country has its specified quota of pilgrims and they have taken their quotas in full, at the rate of one for every 1000 of the country's population registered at the UN,” the minister said during an inspection tour of Southeast Asian and Arab countries' Tawafa establishments here Saturday. He said that so far no meeting has been held with Syrian Haj mission despite the fact that meetings with representatives of Haj missions of Arab and Muslim countries have already started. Dr. Hajjar also denied that low standard air-conditioning equipment were procured for pilgrim camps. He said that Tawafa establishments have signed documents after taking the delivery of air-conditioners, confirming that they were functioning perfectly. He said that Tawafa establishments take delivery of the pilgrims' camps and air-conditioners from the Ministry of Finance after checking them and confirming that they are functioning properly. The Tawafa establishments have to sign documents that they have received the air-conditioners in good condition. The minister during his meeting with the heads of various Tawafa establishments discussed the crowding and squatting of pilgrims. Hajjar said that this year's Haj operation plans were excellent as these incorporate moern technology. The objective of the tour was to check on the readiness of Tawafa establishments. The Southeast Asian Tawafa establishment serves about 300,000 pilgrims from Indonesia and Malaysia. The Arab Tawafa establishment serves more than 350,000 pilgrims. The minister urged the two Tawafa establishments to double their efforts and make the best use of the potentials provided by the government to make this Haj season a success.
