Abdul Rahman Al-Ali Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – All buses carrying pilgrims from the direction of Taif have been instructed to use Al-Bahitah checkpoint at Sayel Al-Kabir, instead of Al-Zeemah checkpoint, also at Sayel Al-Kabir, said Brig. Ayedh Al-Harbi, Commander of Passport Forces for Haj. The new directives came after complaints filed by Haj organizers about lengthy delays — often up to five hours — Haj buses experienced at Al-Zeemah Checkpoint, which only has three narrow lanes. Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz, Interior Minister and Chairman of Haj High Committee, Prince Muhammad Bin Nayef, Assistant Interior Minister, and Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, issued directives for an alternative checkpoint which had several lanes to facilitate the processing of pilgrims' paperwork and their movement to be used, according to Brig. Al-Harbi. “The new checkpoint with its seven lanes will definitely and dramatically reduce the time Haj buses spend at this checkpoint. We have provided the checkpoint with additional passport officers for this purpose.” There are 12 main checkpoints at Makkah's points of entry supported by four additional checkpoints that have been set up at several highways and roads leading to Makkah.
