MAKKAH — Domestic pilgrims have largely benefited from the low cost Haj program and Al-Muyassar Haj (facilitated Haj), Abdulqader Al-Jabarti, deputy chairman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah, has said. Pilgrims in the two categories formed 60 percent of those registered during this year's Haj season. The number of pilgrims reached 60,000. Of these, 5,000 were in the Muyassar Haj program and they included engineers and university professors. He added that the low-cost Haj is in need for re-studying because the amount specified by the ministry (SR3,500) does not cover the costs for providing distinctive services to the pilgrims. He stressed that the charges should be at least SR5,000. He also said that the use of cloth tents should be stopped because they do not protect the pilgrims from the hot sun. The companies suffered a lot due to the presence of children with their families during this year's season.
