Faisal, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Haj Central Committee, on Saturday evaluated the performance of different government agencies engaged in this year's Haj season. The meeting of the Central Haj Committee also reviewed the shortcomings in arrangements and outlined a strategy for the next Haj season, SPA said. Following the meeting, Muhammad Bin Ali Al-Shafe'iy, the committee's Secretary General, said the meeting reviewed the new elements introduced in this year's Haj including the outcome of the “No permit, no Haj” media campaign as well as the movement of pilgrims and the arrangements at Jamrat Bridge for the stoning ritual. He said the committee commended the high level of coordination between different government bodies that enabled the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Authorities this year were able to clamp down heavily on illegal pilgrims barring their entry into the holy sites. The “No permit, no Haj” rule was strictly implemented by the Passports Department and other security organizations in and around Makkah. Attempts by about 85,000 citizens and expatriates without Haj permits to sneak into the holy sites were thwarted during the run-up to Arafat Day. The unprecedented expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and other holy sites and the modern Jamrat Bridge allowed pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Also surveillance cameras in Mina and the Grand Mosque helped a great deal in keeping an eye on anti
