Concrete plans have been put in place to ensure that the pilgrims are able to perform their religious obligations in comfort and peace. The Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Passports Department and different Tawafah establishments has drawn out elaborate plans to provide special services to the millions of pilgrims in this year's Ramadan and Haj seasons. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, and Ministry of Haj officials have planned periodic meetings with Umrah and Haj companies to discuss their problems. Efforts will be undertaken to ensure transparency so as to avoid duping by fake companies. “The Ministry of Interior and the Passports Department have started a new system of taking fingerprints and photographs of all pilgrims to hold them fully responsible if they stay here after the Haj season,” said Ahmad Bafaqih, an expert in Haj, Umrah and tourism. Bafaqih is also the executive head of Al-Sha'aer Company for Haj and Umrah. “The authorities would do well to blacklist all outside companies that had cheated pilgrims. It would be a perfect way to avoid such fake companies' tricks on the pilgrims,” said Bafaqih. Large expansions in the areas around the Holy Mosques as well as areas around King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah will facilitate the arrival and departure of pilgrims. “Large expansions are taking place to avoid overcrowding. We have started a new project of improving the roads that are used for transporting pilgrims from King Abdul Aziz International Airport to Makkah and Madina,” said Mefreh Al-Zahrani, a senior official in the Ministry of Transportation. According to Bafaqih, Umrah and Haj companies are playing an important role in developing the system during the coming years when new companies start work in cooperation with Saudi Airlines to offer more affordable flights for more Muslims across the world. “These new companies will help other Haj establishments in transporting the biggest number of pilgrims during the Haj. Millions of Muslims would be able to perform Haj after these new companies start functioning,” added Bafaqih. __
