JEDDAH, 24 December 2005 -- The Haj Ministry has set out a comprehensive plan to help pilgrims perform the stoning ritual at the Jamrat in Mina without overcrowding which often results in stampedes, a high-ranking ministry official said yesterday.

"Makkah Governor and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, Prince Abdul Majeed, has approved the plan," said Deputy Haj Minister Hatem Qadi. He urged pilgrims not to carry any baggage on their way to perform the stoning ritual.

Under the plan, pilgrims from each country will be dispatched in small groups to the Jamrat in coordination with Tawafa organizations. In case of crowding at the Jamrat, pilgrims will be informed by wireless systems to remain in their camps.

Nearly 500,000 foreign pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah and Madinah for Haj, the rituals of which are set to start tentatively on Jan. 8. As many as 1,000 buses carrying pilgrims are arriving in Makkah every day from Jeddah and Madinah, the entry points for pilgrims arriving by air and sea.

According to Shahid Khan, director of Pakistani Haj affairs, 57,855 pilgrims arrived from his country as of Wednesday. Pakistani authorities have rented 390 buildings in Makkah to accommodate the pilgrims. He said some 260 doctors, nurses and pharmacists, in addition to 230 volunteers, are accompanying Pakistani pilgrims.

Indian Haj Consul Suhail Ejaz said more than 53,000 pilgrims had arrived from his country. India has also sent 43 doctors and 170 nurses and support staff to serve the pilgrims. More than 300 volunteers from the Indian expatriate community are also offering their services for the welfare of pilgrims.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, an imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday welcomed the pilgrims and urged them to make use of their stay in the holy city for meditation, repentance and prayers seeking Allah's forgiveness and benevolence.

Delivering his Friday sermon at the packed mosque complex, Al-Sudais emphasized that Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance.

The imam reminded the pilgrims of the importance of prayers at the Grand Mosque. "A prayer at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah is equal to 1,000 prayers in other mosques while prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah is equal to 100,000 prayers in other mosques," Sheikh Sudais said quoting a Hadith.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities urged scholars to avoid giving fatwas on Haj-related issues based on extreme viewpoints in the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) so that pilgrims can perform the rites in ease and comfort.

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour & Abdul Maqsood Mirza

© Arab News 2005