JEDDAH: FOUZIA KHAN
Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah, who is also the head of Central Haj Committee, on Monday visited King Abdul Aziz International Airport’s Haj Terminal to oversee and ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims arriving from different parts of the world.
Prince Mishaal visited all the counters, whole area of the Haj terminal and lobbies, distributed gifts to the arriving pilgrims, check the reception area to inspect government services related to provide the necessary services to the pilgrims, health checking counters, the immigration and customs.
He stressed to put all the efforts, mobilize all energies and provide all the capabilities, and provide the best services to pilgrims and Umrah performers in Makkah, Madinah and at all the airports receiving pilgrims in order to facilitate the pilgrims so they can perform their Haj with comfort.
He also providing since emphasized the need for giving full attention to the pilgrims from their arrival until their departure to their home countries safely.
He also emphasized that serving the pilgrims is an honor which is given by Allah only to the Kingdom so they should provide the best facilities to all the pilgrims.
The prince was welcomed by Abdul Hamid Aba Al-Amri, director general of King Abdul Aziz International airport, senior officials from the government and private sectors, administrative officials, airport security and journalists.
He was briefed on the mechanism of work at the Haj terminal and airport, duties and procedures of all the officials in providing better services to the pilgrims and mechanism to welcome the pilgrims on their arrival, preparations for their departures to ease the flow, procedures carried out by the committee to follow up the work of the pilgrimage and work of central operational rooms.
Prince Mishaal gave special attention to the health center specially setup to test the pilgrims for Ebola virus and other infectious diseases as part of the preventive measures of the Ministry of Health.
The airport authorities also discussed the plans and preparations of the General Authority for Civil Aviation at airport, Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Directorate General of Passports for the 1435H pilgrimage season.
Al-Amri said in a statement that there are around 104 counters at the Haj terminal that can attend to 3,800 pilgrims in about 45 minutes.
He also explained that according to need they put temporary counters to serve the pilgrims easily and with speed.arabnews.com