JEDDAH: Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah province, received some 400 pilgrims arriving at the Jeddah international airport early on Saturday from the city of Surabaya, Indonesia, the SPA reported.
They were among those who came through the “Makkah Route,” an initiative launched by the Saudi government six years ago to facilitate travel procedures for those performing the rituals of Hajj in the Kingdom.
Prince Saud presented gifts to the arriving pilgrims as he conducted an inspection on the progress of work at the Hajj and Umrah lounge complex of the King Abdulaziz International Airport.
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Prince Saud also reviewed work at the health center for pilgrims in the Hajj and Umrah halls, and the group luggage acceptance area, which is located on an area exceeding 35,000 sq m and includes 24 external loading lane stops. The service aims to provide an easy travel experience, facilitate pilgrims’ procedures and transport their luggage to their locations of residence in Makkah and the Holy Sites.
The deputy governor checked the area designated for the “Pilgrim Without a Bag” initiative, and inspected the locations of the air-conditioned lounges in the general area, as well as the locations of government agencies operating at the airport.
Officers of the Saudi Border Guard welcome visitors arriving at the Kingdom's land and sea ports to perform Hajj. (SPA)
Also on Friday, the General Directorate of Border Guard continued to welcome pilgrims arriving in land and sea ports, providing them with the required facilities and guiding them to authorities at the port to complete their procedures quickly and easily.
Meanwhile, the Jeddah police arrested a Pakistani man on charges of fraud for promoting false and misleading housing and transportation to pilgrims. The suspect was also found in possession of forged Hajj bracelets, SPA said in another report. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
