The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud today thanked Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who is also Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee, for congratulating him on the blessed Eid Al-Adh-ha and the success of this year"s Hajj (1430 H.). In a cable, the monarch also thanked all the concerned authorities for the concerted efforts they exerted to make the Hajj journey a complete ease and comfort. The King said the Kingdom's leadership and people have, since the early era of late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, considered this ritual among their priorities. Thanks to Allah Almighty, this year we have accomplished a successful and well done job, enabling pilgrims to perform the worship in security and ease, he stated. Earlier, Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz said, in a report to the monarch, that this year, the number of pilgrims reached 2,313,278, out of whom 699,313 came from inside the Kingdom, an increase of 20,305 and 1,613,965 coming from outside the Kingdom, less 115,876 than last year. The outsiders, coming from 183 countries, have performed the series of rituals of Hajj, Islam"s fifth pillar, in ease, security and comfort, the report said, adding that, well-trained and expert Saudi providers in the service, security, health, preventive and organizational sectors were able to make the tough job a complete success. This year"s Hajj coincided with extraordinary health circumstances due to the spread of the H1N1 - A (swine flu) all over the world. Despite that, God"s care and the Kingdom"s preventive measures to face the situation reduced the number of those who contracted the disease to not more than 73, out of whom five passed away, the report said. The head of Hajj Supreme Committee summarized the most important projects accomplished within preparations for this year"s Hajj as follows: 1- The execution of the fifth and last phase of Jamarat (devil stoning site) bridge 2- Execution of 80% of the holy places train project 3- Completion of 50% of Phase II of floods drainage project in Arafat area 4- Completion of Phase I of upgrading flood and rain network in Mina 5- Completion of Phase II of flood drainage through link streams between the sacred places and Makkah 6- Operation of fixed and moving ladders of over flyers in Mina 7- Enforcing the decision of banning the less than 25-passenger capacity trucks to enter Makkah and the sacred places. 8- Execution of Phase II of Kerosene-cooking system in developed kitchens in Mina 9- Operation of Hajj and Umrah (minor Hajj) lounges at King Abdulaziz International airport in Jeddah. 10- Opening of King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. --SPA
