Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, has instructed Haj service providers to furnish pilgrims' tents at the holy sites of Mina and Arafat with all necessary amenities within one week after their allotment from the Ministry of Haj. Prince Muhammad, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has directed the ministry to constitute specialized committees to monitor ensuring smooth procedures in the allotment of tents and their furnishing within the stipulated period, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported quoting the ministry sources. The ministry will undertake evaluation and monitoring of the tents allotted to tawafa organizations of domestic and foreign pilgrims in Mina and Arafat in two phases. The first phase will be the period of allotment and furnishing of tents before the arrival of pilgrims and the second phase is during the Haj rites. The Haj service providers shall submit a form filled up with details of the allotment and furnishing of the tents in Mina and Arafat. Another form about details of facilities and services provided to pilgrims in their tents in Mina and Arafat will also be furnished, according to sources at the tawafa body. Some 3 million worshippers from around the world gather in the plains of Arafat and Mina for the annual pilgrimage, which is obligatory on every able-bodied Muslim male and female with the financial means. The Haj this year will tentatively begin on Sept. 21.
