With Two More Days To Wukuf, Saudi Arabia Heightens Security

MAKKAH, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- In its move to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has heightened security by increasing the presence of its security forces and installing a high-technology camera surveillance system at the Grand Mosque and other holy sites. Arab News online portal quoted the commander of the Haj Control Centre, Major General Abdullah Al-Zahrani, as saying that about 5,000 surveillance cameras with night vision technology and could cover up to 60 kilometres, had been installed at the Grand Mosque and other holy sites. The director of the Civil Defence Operation Centre at the Holy Sites, Brigadier Salim Al-Madhab, meanwhile, said its officers were using the GPS (Global Positioning System) to prevent potential accidents at the holy sites. The system also helped rescuers to get to an accident or emergency scene in a short time, he said, adding that his forces were also using 11 wireless communication channels. "We have started organising shifts round the clock to ensure the safety of pilgrims," Al-Madhab told Arab News. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry in a statement said security forces had barred 98,000 people from entering Makkah for not having Haj permits, while 25,216 vehicles were not allowed to enter the holy sites for not having the licence to ferry pilgrims, and 85 vehicles for violating other Haj-related regulations. --BERNAMA