Sheikh Yusuf Awad Al-Ahmadi, Chairman of Saudi Ideas Development Company Limited (Saudi Afkar), stressed the significance of the check visit paid by HRH Prince Muhammad bin Nayef (Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Head of the Supreme Haj Committee. Prince Muhammad bin Nayef had toured the holy places and performed field check of service functioning and preparations by the various entities concerned with the service of pilgrims. The visit aimed at checking the plans and programs provided to pilgrims enabling them to perform their rituals with ease, comfort and contentment.

Marvelous Efforts

Al-Ahmadi said that such stance by the Crown Prince translated the marvelous efforts exerted by the state under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, so that the pilgrims could perform rituals and rites in a spiritual atmosphere of faith. “Such comprehensive visit aims at checking and making sure of the plans and programs that would be undertaken by the relevant authorities in this regard,” he added. “No doubt that the direct attention paid by the rulers towards services positively affects all those in charge of services. It really gives everyone a strong motivation for the continuation and ultimate effort exertion to provide the best and most distinctive services for pilgrims,” he confirmed.

Right Approach

In the same context, Al-Ahmadi appreciated such right approach adopted as usual by the leadership through the implementation of check tours prior to the arrival of pilgrims at the holy places.

He also demonstrated that such visit was highly significant to all officials working on the service of pilgrims. It would contribute to remove all obstacles in the way of its workflow by providing all needed facilities so that work could be fulfilled in the required manner and in accordance with the set plans that were consistently applied by all authorities for the comfort of the pilgrims.

Actions’ Success

In addition to that, the Chairman of Saudi Afkar stressed that the service of pilgrims was an unmatched honor. He added that the state and the rulers thereof spared neither effort nor concern regarding such great occasion; they sacrificed a lot for the success of the implemented actions. Whatever one talked about the role of KSA in the service of pilgrims and visitors, one would not reach the level of the services provided on the ground.

Linking Routes to the Holy Mosque

On the other hand, Al-Ahmadi demanded that microphones should be used in connection with the Holy Mosque of Makkah so that pilgrims could benefit from praying with the Grand Mosque along various pedestrian routes associated with the Holy Mosque of Makkah.  He pointed out to the significance of not allowing the width of the pedestrian route to be less than 10m.

Positive Results

Al-Ahmadi praised the positive results achieved by HRH Prince Khaid Al-Faisal, Advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Province, in his tour at the holy places a few days ago. He explained that the rulers of the country had put the service of pilgrims on top of their priorities. This was evident as they provided all human and mechanical capabilities to facilitate the performance of Hajj and to maintain the security and safety of pilgrims.

Ideal Pedestrian Routes

Stemming from the directions of HRH Prince Khaid Al-Faisal, Head of the Central Haj Committee, Al-Ahmadi demanded that ideal pedestrian routes should be built.

He also suggested that such routes would be multi-storeyed and serve all society segments. He added that the routes should be shaded, air-conditioned, open, and available with all basic necessities such as water cycles and various multi-purpose kiosks.  He explained that every kiosk should serve a specific purpose to prevent congestion and gathering of large numbers of people in front of it.

Attractive Environment

Al-Ahmadi wished that an electric walkway would exist among the pedestrian routes and be at the highest levels of sophistication and variety so that all categories could be served. He added that such electric walkway should be paved and surrounded by plants to render it attractive in contrast with the existing expelling environment that did not encourage the use of pedestrian routes, if any. For more...