RIYADH — Razor-sharp competition has developed among the domestic Haj campaigns in the capital, reported Makkah daily. These companies are reportedly using the photos of Muslim scholars who performed Haj with them last year as well as the dishes they provide as part of their promotional campaigns. The domestic Haj companies are extensively using social media to attract the largest possible number of local pilgrims. The companies have set their charges based on the proximity of their tents in Mina to the Jamarat area where pilgrims throw pebbles at the three pillars symbolizing Satan. Some of them have fixed their charges according to the five-star buffet service they extend to their clients. An anonymous employee of a domestic Haj campaign said though his company is classified among the low category H companies, its charges are as high as those in the A category. He said the price per person is SR13,500, though his company's tents in Mina are 2,400 meters away from the Jamarat area and more than 350 meters away from the station of the Mashaer metro service that can take pilgrims directly to the stoning area. He said: “This is mainly due to the excellent food we provide to our customers. “We have an open buffet that continues for 24 hours. “We also serve tea, coffee and soft drinks around-the-clock.” Other domestic Haj companies will ask their pilgrims to catch up with them in Makkah. They will not provide them with transport but will issue them with special permits so they can use their own cars when traveling to the holy city. He said though these companies do not provide either air or land transportation, they have not reduced their charges. The employee, who did not want to be named, said the H class campaigns are attracting more customers because their charges are affordable ranging between SR7,000 and SR9,000 for each pilgrim. The A class campaigns are promising pilgrims complete comfort. They claim that they will provide their customers with excellent food and easy transport between the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. They also said they have special golf cars for women and old pilgrims to use. These companies provide their pilgrims with air transport and their prices often range between SR16,000 and SR20,000. A number of local pilgrims complained about the high prices of the domestic Haj campaigns. They recalled that a famous local Haj campaign used to charge SR10,000 per person three years ago and is now demanding about SR20,000.
