Checking the readiness of the fleet transporting pilgrims to Mount Arafat along the routes set by the Saudi side
Head of the tourism Hajj mission: no leniency with any travel company proven to have breached its contractual obligations to pilgrims
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Central Department of Travel Companies, is following the final arrangements for moving the 40,713 tourism pilgrims up to Mount Arafat, as the movement of pilgrims begins today ahead of the standing at Arafat tomorrow, Tuesday.
This monitoring is carried out through the operations room of the Egyptian Tourism Hajj Mission in Makkah, headed by Samia Samy, Assistant Minister for Travel Company Affairs, Head of the Egyptian Tourist Hajj Affairs Office and Head of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, which works around the clock in direct coordination with the official Hajj mission, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies, and Al Rajhi company, which is responsible for providing services to tourism pilgrims.
Samia Samy stated that all logistical and field arrangements for moving Egyptian tourism pilgrims to Mount Arafat have been completed, stressing that this stage is the most important station in the mission's field plan. She added that the ministry has set up an integrated system combining the intensive deployment of mission members with modern digital technologies through the "Rafiq" app, to ensure the highest level of service for the Guests of God among travel companies' pilgrims.
The head of the tourism Hajj mission and the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah stressed that there will be no leniency with any travel company proven to have breached its contractual obligations to pilgrims during this stage of the rituals.
She explained that 12 committees of mission members have been formed and distributed across all tourism pilgrims' camps in Arafat and Mina, working around the clock throughout the rituals to check on pilgrims continuously, remove any obstacles they may face and provide them with full care. She noted that the mission's central operations room in Mina and Arafat receives periodic reports from the heads of sub-committees on any developments, in coordination with the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies and Saudi company Al Rajhi.
The ministry's tourism Hajj mission had carried out intensive inspection tours of pilgrims' camps in Arafat and Mina to verify their full readiness and that all pilgrims' needs are met, according to the programs approved for this season (five-star, economy, land and the newly introduced Kidana Towers).
The mission also checked the readiness of the transport fleet, which includes modern tourist coaches as well as private cars and 4x4 vehicles for some luxury Hajj programs, to transport pilgrims from Makkah to Mount Arafat along the routes set by the Saudi side.
The camp system this season features a range of new technical and organizational innovations, most notably detailed data fixed on each bed (sofa bed), including the pilgrim's number, block number and gate number, helping to organize pilgrims' movement and making it easier for them to reach their assigned places without crowding, as well as smart cameras with sensors installed inside the camps to count pilgrims and issue instant alerts if capacity is exceeded.
To ensure camp privacy and avoid crowding, the Saudi hospitality company engaged private security companies to organize entry and exit and prevent congestion. Security personnel were equipped with barcode readers for the Nusuk card approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which every pilgrim received and which contains their full details, camp number and location at the holy sites. Entry to the camps will only be allowed through this electronic system, preventing any overlap between pilgrim groups.
Preparations also included an integrated system for people of determination among tourism pilgrims in the camps, including ramps at entrances and adapted toilets, allowing them to move around fully independently. The service provider is also supplying specialized teams of customer service staff in the camps to answer pilgrims' enquiries and resolve any problems or emergencies they may face.
The mission also provided a number of qualified, specialized scholars from the Ministry of Endowments and Al-Azhar, in addition to the sheikhs and scholars accompanying travel companies. They are distributed across tourism pilgrims' camps in Arafat and Mina to provide religious awareness, deliver lessons and sermons and answer pilgrims' jurisprudential questions about performing the rituals correctly, continuing the awareness convoy the ministry organized with Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy at Cairo International Airport before pilgrim groups departed, ensuring an integrated awareness system throughout the Hajj journey.
Medical clinics were also set up in each camp, equipped with medical beds, medicines and first-aid supplies to treat pilgrims amid the high temperatures expected at the holy sites during the days of the rituals, while preparations at Arafat included increasing the number of shades and developing the water and food distribution system to ensure they reach all pilgrims smoothly and regularly.
In addition, rest and worship areas, internal mosques and various service areas were prepared, and security personnel and staff were trained to deal professionally with pilgrims and provide immediate assistance.
The camps were planned with the participation of specialists to ensure their locations are organized, movement inside them flows smoothly and space is used optimally. They were divided into clear corridors marked with colors and guide signs to ease pilgrims' movement and allow quick access to their accommodation, especially when leaving for and returning from the Jamarat.
The number of toilets for men and women was also increased, as were field service teams and guides, and Al Rajhi company formed emergency teams at all camps to intervene immediately when needed.
The Egyptian Tourism Hajj Mission continues its work in constant coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure the movement to Arafat and the departure from it run according to the approved timetables, so pilgrims can perform their rituals smoothly and in an orderly manner and return home.
