HOLY SITES: A number of expatriates were found to be selling unhealthy and foul-smelling food to pilgrims at the holy sites. The informal and unofficial food stalls could be found all over selling cooked dishes like biryani and sandwiches, most of it being prepared and stored in unhygienic conditions. Saeedullah, who is from Myanmar, was found selling food in an open area in Arafat. He seemed unperturbed by the fact that he was selling food that could make pilgrims sick. He admitted he was only interested in the money. He said many pilgrims were forced to buy from him because they did not have any other alternative. He sells a dish for SR10 and at the end of each day makes between SR400 and SR500. It appeared that many pilgrims were also oblivious to health and safety standards because they continued to buy food from these illegal food vendors.
