Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH – The Haj minister has said all countries have been informed of the 20 percent cut in their pilgrim quotas and have gracefully accepted the move, local daily Al-Madinah reported on Wednesday. The quota reductions were announced due to ongoing expansion work in the Grand Mosque, especially the mata (circumambulation) area. Bandar Al-Hajjar denied reports that several countries had objected to the cut in their pilgrim allocations and said the new quotas had been specified well in advance. The minister denied claims that new Haj procedures would be implemented due to current political incidents in some Arab and Islamic countries. “The ministry has met with all Haj missions, informed them on the pilgrimage guidelines and obtained pledges from them to respect these rules, which aim to enable pilgrims to perform the Haj rites in ease and comfort.” He asked all pilgrims to stay away from any actions that might jeopardize their security and safety and urged them to dedicate their time to worship. Al-Hajjar revealed that the ministry has developed a specific mechanism to facilitate the arrival and departure of the Syrian pilgrims and signed an agreement to this effect with the Syrian Coalition Council. “The council is currently making arrangements to organize the arrival of Syrian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon,” he said. Al-Hajjar said master plans for the two Haj terminals in Makkah and Madinah were currently being prepared and said the ministry would leave no stone unturned to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
