based Al-Madinah lauded the success attained in the previous Hajj seasons despite the increasing number of pilgrims, and said this success provides a clear evidence for the efficiency of the Saudi authorities concerned with the affairs of pilgrims. The paper pointed out that the Kingdom has been mobilizing its potentialities to enable the pilgrims perform their rituals in comfort and ease. Thousands of qualified cadres are recruited during the Hajj season for extending all possible services and facilities to the guests of God, the daily said. "So it will never be a strange matter when Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister calls for dedication of efforts for the service of the pilgrims," it said adding that the service of the pilgrims is a strategic goal since the era of the Kingdom's Founder King Abdulaziz. The daily pointed out that the statements of Prince Naif in this respect come after the reiteration of health minister Dr Abdullah al-Rabee'a about a well-studied plan to confront swine flu under the supervision of experts in this domain. Dr al-Rabee'a had advised the old people, pregnant women and some patients to postpone Hajj and Umrah (minor Hajj) this year's season so as to avoid the menace of swine flu which has spread in various parts of the world. --MORE
