Abdullah Al-Dahhas Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Conditions such as serving turkey as a main item for dinner and providing pilgrims American coffee round-the-clock has further deepened the differences between the Haj ministry and local Haj service-providing companies. The latter maintain that there are not enough turkeys available in the Kingdom and they will have to import them from neighboring countries. The ministry has also asked the companies to fill their air-conditioners in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah with freon to cool down the tents especially during the hot weather. Upset with these conditions, the Haj service providers are planning to sue the ministry and may move the Board of Grievances. They also organized a sit-in on Monday in front of the ministry's branch in Shesha District in Makkah. Hussein Al-Sharif, ministry's undersecretary, said all conditions were explained to the companies a long time ago on the ministry's e-gate and also through a number of workshops held for the purpose. “The companies should not be surprised by these conditions which they already know about. Instead they should focus on how to provide the best of services to the pilgrims,” he said. Sharif said the ministry aims to upgrade the level of services provided to the guests of Allah and is not ready to back off. The companies expressed fears that filling the air-conditioners with freon might increase electricity load leading to fires or repeated power cuts. Abdul Qadir Bin Mohammed Al-Jabarti, deputy chairman of the National Haj and Umrah Committee (NHUC) said the ministry's conditions were “impossible” to meet. “The ministry has asked for five tons of freon for every four tents. This means that 25 air-conditioners will be needed for each 100 tents. Where do we install this large number of air-conditioners?” he asked. Dispelling these fears, Sharif said the ministry was closely coordinating with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and the Civil Defense to ensure that the electricity connections are functioning properly. The companies also objected to the ministry's decision obliging them to buy water, juice and milk from certain brand suppliers. Meanwhile, the ministry on Tuesday opened its e-portal for the the local Haj companies and will open it for domestic pilgrims on Sunday to registerer for this year's Haj. Marwan Shaban, chairman of the NHUC, said the companies were hurt by the ministry's new decisions but will continue to serve the pilgrims even if they have to incur great financial losses. “Some of the ministry's new conditions are against the rules and regulations of the ministries of interior, health and Civil Defense,” he said.
