MAKKAH — The Kingdom has introduced a world-class system for crowd management at Jamarat in Mina, where millions of pilgrims converge to perform stoning ritual. The hi-tech Jamarat bridge has five floors and thousands of security officers are deployed to organize the flow of pilgrims. Despite the presence of huge crowds at the three pillars representing Satan in Mina, the millions of Muslim faithful perform the ritual peacefully as a result of the foolproof security measures taken by Saudi authorities in light of its longstanding experience in Haj management. Many Hajis have expressed their admiration of the Kingdom's professional management of Haj affairs and the exemplary behavior of Saudi civilian, security and military officers toward pilgrims. They have seen security and military officers extending their helping hand to the elderly, handicapped and sick pilgrims as well children accompanying their parents. Some security officers have carried children as well as the elderly and the handicapped on their shoulders to help them perform the stoning ritual, one of the most difficult tasks of Hajis. Khadeeja, a handicapped pilgrim from Tunisia, said before coming to the Kingdom she feared how she would be able to perform the Haj rituals on wheelchair. “Surprisingly, I received support from Saudi security officers at times of need. I saw them competing with one another in helping me and others to win the pleasure of God,” she told Makkah Arabic daily. This civilized behavior has been the hallmark of Saudi security and military officers who have been working day and night to ensure the safety and tranquility of pilgrims. Khadeeja adds: “When I arrived at the Jamarat for the stoning ritual on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah I told myself that it would be impossible for me to stone the Jamarat on a wheelchair. Suddenly, a security officer lifted me with my wheelchair on his shoulders to help me stone the Satan like other pilgrims. I burst into tears with pleasure and gratitude seeing this wonderful humanitarian gesture of that officer. These officers gave me the love and care I receive from my children. It is the outcome of Saudi Arabia's longstanding experience in Haj management.” Many pilgrims face such difficult situations during Haj every year but overcome them comfortably thanks to the support of Saudi security and military officers. Akram Saeed, a first-time pilgrim from Egypt, also came for Haj on wheelchair without being accompanied by any relative. “Although none of my relatives got selected for Haj, I decided to come for the annual pilgrimage despite my disability to walk. When I arrived at the Grand Mosque for tawaf, a security officer asked a young Saudi to push my wheelchair to enable me circumambulate the Holy Kaaba. The young man also helped me perform Sa'i (the movement between the hillocks of Safaa and Marwa) without any difficulty.” Saeed said he received the assistance of Saudi security officers to perform the rituals in the holy sites. They helped me get into the bus for traveling to Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Pilgrims, especially the handicapped among them, receive services of security and military officers at every point. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the measures taken by Saudi authorities to ensure the security of pilgrims, especially by controlling their movement in the holy sites following a foolproof system. “Mistakes will happen when dealing with millions of people who gather in specific areas of the holy sites. It does not mean the failure of the plan because the Haj plans are finalized after taking into consideration the mistakes that have occurred in previous Haj seasons.” He said authorities would take tough action against negligent security officers.
