The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research launched on Thursday 15/11/1437H the orientation and awareness meetings for food and nutrition officials at different tawaf organizations, heads of field services offices and domestic pilgrims companies on improving catering services at the holy sites during the hajj season.

The meeting was attended by the minister of hajj and umrah advisor Dr. Sahl Saban at the institute’s research tenant at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) headquarters in Aziziyah.

Institute Dean Dr. Atef bin Hussein Asghar said that “in the spirit of implementing the directives of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' adviser and Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, about improving catering services at the holy sites during the hajj season the Institute has started a series of scientific meetings with food and nutrition officials at different tawaf organizations, domestic pilgrims companies and the Foundation for Civil guides office in Madinah.”

He said “this program is expected to benefit around 1000 people about the techniques of preparing ready-made meals and frozen ready meals that can be served during hajj.”

He asserted that such meals are considered one of the safe applicable solutions to prevent food poisoning while serving pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah and the holy sites especially that the hajj seasons will fall during summer in the coming years.

Dr. Asghar said that the Institute will offer awareness programs on food preservation and delivering them to pilgrims residence at the holy sites and mechanisms for avoiding food poisoning while offering food supplies for massive crowds.

He pointed out that the program will run for six days.

He valued the directives and support of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) President Dr. Bakri bin M’atooq Assas which had its positive impact on being able to provide field research studies covering several aspectsof the services offered to pilgrims.

He also thanked the hajj and umrah minister for directing all institutions in Makkah and Madinah to effectively participate in such scientific meetings.

Dr. Bassam Mashat, a researcher at the Institute’s environmental research department and a ecturer at the awareness programs, give and introduction about the current status of kitchens at camps in the holy sites, types of methods for preparing meals and a comparison between them.

He reviewed a number of successful experiences in catering for pilgrims at the holy sites and benefitting from the expertise of airlines, similar companies and military supplies in offering catering services.

At the end of the meetings, samples of products proposed by agents of ready-made meals in the kingdom like Haji and Mu’tamer’s Gift Charity, Sama for Hospitality and Almajal G4S were put on display.

Some heads of service offices at Hujjaj South Asia Establishment have endorsed the idea of frozen ready meals.

The participants then toured the exhibition organized on the sidelines of the program and the booths of the participating agents of ready-made meals in the kingdom like Haji and Mu’tamer’s Gift Charity, Sama for Hospitality and G4S.

At the end of the meeting, the participants thanked Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) for enhancing the principle of strategic partnership between the university and all public and private sectors of society which falls in line with the expectation of the tawaf organizations in upgrading and improving services offered to pilgrims, umrah performers and visitors.