Saudi Arabia completes security preparations for Hajj

JEDDAH, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- Saudi security agencies have completed preparations for receiving and ensuring the safety hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who flocked to the Kingdom from the four corners of the globe for the once-in-lifetime spiritual journey.
In a joint press conference, senior commanders of the Hajj Security Forces detailed to reporters various aspects of the Hajj security plan.
Assistant Commander of Hajj Security Forces for Security Affairs Major General Muneir Jabriel said forces from the various departments would contribute to the security plan.
The forces would focus on preventing and confronting crimes or any acts that could disrupt Hajj rituals or threaten the safety of pilgrims, he said.
He unveiled that female police squads would also be deployed in the holy sites.
Jabriel noted that police would also carry out random fingerprint tests for those who have not official Hajj permits.
There would be committees to chase and arrest street vendors, he said.
For his part, Assistant Commander of Hajj Security Forces for Traffic Affairs Major General Khaled Al-Dhabiab said that the hajj traffic plan has been put in place since August 7th.
He pointed out that the plan includes several measures to guarantee the smoothness and safety of pilgrims' movement between the holy sites.
The Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry announced today, that over one million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom so far to perform their Hajj rituals.
The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar.
It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically able.
It brings Muslims of every ethnic group, color, social status, and culture together to stand before the Kaaba praising Allah.
It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. (end) nh.ibi