Pilgrims spend first day of "Tashreeq Days"

Mina, Saudi Arabia, December 09 , SPA -- Pilgrims began spending the
first day of "Tashreeq Days" today (the 11th day of Dul Hijjah),
which is the 2nd day of Eid Al-Adha, thanking Allah Almighty for his
graces and blessings on them.


Correspondents of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) spotted yesterday the
smooth movement of the pilgrims at the "Jamarat" bridge due to its
development project which was completed in three phases to date and
become a civilized facility, an engineering milestone at the holy
places and a testament to the attention and carefulness extended to
the guests of Allah Almighty by the Government of the Custodian of
the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.


The correspondents reported that the bridge accommodated easily huge
crowds of pilgrims who flocked there to throw pebbles at the three
Jamarat in succession.


Preventing pilgrims from sleeping on pedestrian foot paths within
the framework of an important decision undertaken by the security
forces of Hajj in this regard, has played a crucial role in resolving
the task of security personnel in facilitating the movement of
pilgrims in easy and smooth manner on their way to the bridge or
within the bridge.


Moreover, the process of movement towards the bridge was adopted by
the security forces under well-defined and specified ways and paths
that have been separately reserved, namely one route used only for
going to the Jamarat and another route for return of the pilgrims
after performing their stoning rite. The entire movement of the
pilgrims to the Jamarat and their return back to their camps in the
plains of Mina has been directly supervised by security personnel in
coordination with the institutions of circumambulations to adhere to
the set timetables for the movement of the pilgrims' groups.

According to SPA's reports from Mina, the concerned bodies of the
pilgrims' affairs are providing them in a distinctive form perfect
services and that their activities cover all plains of Mina, with a
focus on high-density regions such as the "Jamarat" bridge, which
witnesses the flow of pilgrims for the stoning rite.


Despite the high density in the numbers of pilgrims in this limited
spot, the reports said there are ample supplies of foodstuffs beyond
the requirements.


During their stay in Mina, the pilgrims are enjoying all services
they need everywhere around them, such as the hospitals and health
centers of the Ministry of Health, the National Guard, the Armed
Forces and the Ministry of Interior which provide facilities and
services around the clock in addition to the services of the centers
of the ambulance of the Saudi Red Crescent Society.

Correspondents of the SPA in the holy places have also noticed the
spread in the number of outlets of supplies and foodstuffs in Mina
and that these foodstuffs and other products are being sold at
affordable prices for every one and under the direct supervision of
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the secretariat of the Holy
City.


SPA's reports said that the pilgrims are benefiting from the
technologies of telecommunication tools, whether the fixed-telephone
lines or mobiles, noting that companies of telecommunications such as
"Saudi Telecom," "Etihad Etisalat" and "Saudi Arabia Mobile
Communications" are keen to link the pilgrims with their families and
friends at home around the clock through the big communications
networks or through mobile phone towers installed in the holy places.


--SPA