Miscellaneous

          A number of pilgrims have been cheated by confidence tricksters who gain their confidence and then take money from them on the pretext of buying things at cheaper rates. People have been tricked into even parting with money for the sacrifice that is supposed to be done after Haj at Mina on the 10th of Zul Hijjah. Theft from pilgrims is on the increase hence all precautions should be taken.

          Pilgrims need to be very careful while crossing roads, especially main roads and highways in Makkah and Madinah. Traffic  is very fast on these roads and a number of pilgrims get injured or die because of their own negligence.  The vehicle drivers will not  stop or decrease their speed if pilgrims are crossing the road. Pilgrims are supposed to be on alert for  vehicles coming on the road.

          In Makkah as the Haj approaches the city is bursting with people. A lot of civic problems  arise. Care must be taken to ensure that water is conserved in buildings and is not wasted, because in these days water becomes scarce and even water tankers find it difficult to enter into many areas due to overcrowding on the roads. In Madinah there is no arrangement to provide for zam zam water. In Makkah limited amount of zam zam of one litre per pilgrim is provided in buildings after 10^th Zul Qada. This should be shared equitably and not hoarded.

          Maktabs can also take care of  cash and valuables but pilgrims must insist on a proper receipt if they are leaving money with the Maktab.   They should not give any cash or valuables to anyone else than to a proper person in the Maktab who should give a proper receipt (Fatura) for the same.

          Pilgrims must know that according to the decision taken by the Saudi authorities, the unused bus coupons for the Mashaer region will not be refunded. Tickets not used during other parts will need to be produced at the Maktabul Wukla office at the airport and refund claimed then and there.  

          The average stay of Haj Committee pilgrims in the Kingdom is around 42 days. However, depending on the air schedule, pilgrims can come back a few days earlier too.  Pilgrims who have done the Madinah movement before Haj would go from Makkah  to the Jeddah Haj Terminal  while those who are doing the Madinah movement in the post-Haj phase would go from Madina to  the Haj  Terminal or go back directly from Madinah. Local regulations require that pilgrims reach the Haj Terminal in Jeddah at least 8 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their aircraft. Thus, they should remember to have enough money to buy food and water at the Haj Terminal for at least that time. Airlines only supply food packets if delays are more than 6 hours beyond scheduled time of departure.

          In case pilgrims want to advance or delay their return journeys they need to contact the CRT at the Indian Haj Office. Air India has computerised reservation terminals and pilgrims can change their departure schedules subject to availability of vacancies. In case of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the tickets will be collected and changed by the staff of the Indian Haj Office.

          For  relatives and friends who would like to contact pilgrims and do not  know where they are staying in Makkah, there is a computerised database available on the internet at the Consulate’s website at  www. cgijeddah.com. The building and room numbers of pilgrims  as well as telephone number/s of building can be obtained from the site so that they can contact them directly. Computerised  pilgrim reception centres are also set up by the Consulate at Makkah   and they can easily get pilgrim details from there. In Madinah,  they will have  to contact the Consulate office or branch offices since it is not known in advance which building and to which contractor particular pilgrims are to go. In Mina and  Arafat pilgrims can give them the  Maktab number where  they can be reached/contacted.

          In case of excess baggage pilgrims should be ready to pay for the same. Otherwise, they would be delaying other passengers if they haggle at the check-in counter and try to fight with the Airlines staff over excess baggage.

          In order to make Haj easier, pilgrims always need to pray to Allah. Then  they need to help themselves rather than rely on anyone else. They must show  exemplary behaviour that behoves the guests of Allah.  The officials can only aid and assist them in their endeavour. No bandobast is foolproof and, therefore, individual efforts and the spirit of accommodation are essential for the success of this supreme experience. 

May Allah grant to the guests of His Sacred House grace and bounty.

Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan

Consul (Haj)

Consulate General of India

Jeddah