MAKKAH, 5 February 2005 — The spirit of Islamic brotherhood was demonstrated during the recent Haj through charities that distributed 7 million free meals to pilgrims. The Suqya and Rifadah Committee is one of the charities that provides drinking water, food and assistance during Haj. It’s a mammoth undertaking that requires about a thousand workers and this year cost about SR100 million.

Mohammed Aboud Al-Amoudi, a member of the committee, said his charity provided 1.5 million cooked meals to pilgrims in Arafat — an increase of more than 100,000 meals over last year. “This is a humanitarian and religious duty,” Al-Amoudi said. “Suqya and Rifadah are among the noble deeds related to Haj and pilgrims that has been performed since olden times. Therefore, it’s not strange to see the people of the Kingdom and its leaders, who provide all care and attention to Haj and pilgrims, continuing the tradition.”

As to how the charity was established, Al-Amoudi said it goes back more than 30 years ago when he was looking for a living in the holy sites but could not find one. At that time, he wished he possessed the means to help the pilgrims. When his businesses expanded, he decided to establish this charity to provide the best meals to the pilgrims free of charge as a kind of thanks to Allah and in solidarity with his Muslim brethren.

The charity, which carries his name and was inaugurated by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, was the first to build its headquarters in Arafat. About 1,000 workers take part in the effort, both preparing the meals and then hygienically sealing each one.

The committee operates one branch for men and a second branch for women. Each hall can accommodate 3,000 pilgrims at one sitting. The charity is located near the Mount of Mercy (Jabal Al-Rahmah) in Arafat. On Arafat Day, it provided 1.5 million meals, including breakfast and lunch, to the pilgrims. “The meals are provided to the pilgrims free of cost,” he said. “They can be eaten at the charity’s halls, or the pilgrims can take the meals with them to their camps or elsewhere.”