MINA: Angry pilgrims complained Sunday – the first day of the Haj – of open sewage, dirty toilets, inadequate bedding and overcrowding at their accommodation in the Tent City of Mina. Mohammad Masoud, a 53-year-old Pakistani, said he was shocked at the poor conditions in his camp. He said there were 36 people crowded into each tent. “They only provided us with children's blankets, which are not suitable for us adults. Moreover, the toilets are very dirty and you can see the sewage everywhere,” he said. When Saudi Gazette team visited the camp, it was discovered that the air-conditioners were not working; and the women and children did not have clean water for washing or drinking. “We could not find any clean water for wudu (ablution) to make Fajr (dawn) prayer. Do you accept this as a Muslim?” asked Masoud. In addition, there was a large hole in front of the main entrance filled with foul-smelling dirty water. “I want to know who is responsible for wasting our money in this pious and sanctified month. Each one of us paid SR12,000 to receive various services at the camp, including food, water, transportation and accommodation,” said Masoud. Majed Al-Faraji, the supervisor of the camp, told Saudi Gazette that officials responsible for the holy sites, along with the Tawafa Company, had promised to service the camp. “As you can see this is not a respectable environment for performing Haj. We have complained many times to the officials but no one has responded yet,” said Al-Faraji. “Allah knows that we Saudis are also suffering along with the expatriate pilgrims because of the poor services,” he said. Al-Faraji said that some of the pilgrims tried to attack him several times because they blamed him for the situation, but security officials had stopped them. “We will lay an official complaint at the responsible department for the incorrect information given to the expatriates about the camp,” he said.
