MAKKAH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Sunday has excused to restore the Hajj quota for foreign and domestic pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj in current year 2014 due to the ongoing expansion work.
Saudi Arabian authorities have made early announcement this year signalling same imposition of 20-percent cut in foreign pilgrims and a 50-percent reduction in domestic pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season, Arab News reported.
“The government will continue to request foreign countries to slash the quota of their Hajj pilgrims by 20 percent due to ongoing expansion works in Makkah and the holy sites,” said Hajj Minister Bandar Hajjar.
While speaking to the Turkish Hajj mission, he said the decision was taken following the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in order to ensure the safety and security of all pilgrims coming to perform mega religious event.
The Saudi official vowed that Saudi Arabia would be able to host more pilgrims once the expansion works for the Grand Mosque and “mataf” are completed.
Chairman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saad Al-Qurashi, clarified that the government’s early announcement would assist Hajj service providing companies and hotels to avoid their losses.
“We understand that this reduction will continue for one more year,” he told media.
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