Hajj General Safety Instructions for Pilgrims
(M/O KSA)

For your own safety and that of others, please observe the following instructions when proceeding to the casting of the Jamarat:

1. Adherence to the schedules designated for you by the Mutawwif.
2. Adherence to the lanes designated for proceeding to the Jamarat and returning therefrom.
3. Avoid pushing your fellow pilgrims and proceed quietly and calmly.
4. Do not carry personal effects.
5. Do not walk against the direction of the traffic.

The Ministry of Health has established 21 hospitals with 7,000-bed capacity to serve and provide health care to pilgrims.

There are hospitals, ambulances and other centers specializing in the treatment of sunstrokes and heat exhaustion in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and the Holy Shrines. Makkah Al-Mukarramah has seven hospitals with a total capacity of 3,173 beds.

There are several hospitals in the Holy Shrines containing specialized outpatient clinics, ambulance units and operations and admittance rooms in addition to special arrangements for treating sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

These hospitals include:

1- The 800-bed Arafat General Hospital, 24 beds for sunstroke patients, 130 beds for heat exhaustion patients.
2- The 30-bed Jabal Al Rahmah Hospital, 4 beds for sunstroke patients, 150 beds for heat exhaustion patients.
3- Arafat's Mobile Hospital (100) beds at the heat exhaustion center, 8 cooling units, 50 beds for admittance.
4- Mina General Hospital (350 beds).
5- King Abdul Aziz Bridge Hospital in Mina (120 beds).
6- The 370- beds Namera Hospital, 8 beds for sunstroke and 71 beds for heat exhaustion.
7- The 130-beds Mina Al Wadi Hospital, 10 beds for Intensive Care Unit.

The following hospitals serve pilgrims in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah:

1- King Fahd Hospital (500 beds).
2- The Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital (500 beds).
3- Badr Charitable Hospital (216 beds).
4- Chest Diseases Hospital (120 beds).
5- Isolation Hospital (57 beds).
6- Common Diseases Hospital (200 beds).
7- Al Ansar Hospital (130 beds).
8- Al-Migat Hospital (120 beds).
9- Ohud Hospital (239 beds).
10- Madinatul Hujjaj Hospital (36 beds)
11- Al-Hanakiyah Hospital (68 beds).
12- Khaiber General Hospital (50beds).

There are numerous health centers in the Two Holy Cities and the Holy Shrines. Some of these centers offer their medical services throughout the year whereas others operate only during Hajj seasons. All these centers receive and treat patients.
There are 294 centers, including:

42 Primary Health Care Centers in Arafat.

30 Primary Health Care Centers in Mina.

7 Primary health Care Centers in Muzdalifah. Each of these centers contains 16 beds for receiving heat exhaustion cases.

27 Permanent Primary health Care Centers in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

45 Seasonal Primary Health Care Centers at the inlets of the Holy Capital, the Al-Hijrah Road and Land Pilgrims parking areas.

38 Supporting Health Units in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah devoted to the pilgrims, five of which are inside the Prophet's Mosque.

133 Health Centers in various parts of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and land routes leading to it.

5 Primary Health Care Centers inside the Holy Mosque.
84 Seasonal Primary Health Care Centers in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, five of which are surrounding the Al Jamarat flyover bridge.

There are different types of accommodations in Makkah and Madinah, from luxurious four star hotels to apartments and rooms to hire and share. The licensed travel agency usually organizes accommodation for visitors.
Accommodation in Mina and Arafat will be tents set up by the Tawafa Establishments. The costs for these tents are included in the checks sent with the application form for Hajj visa.

Q: What is an Ihram and how should I wear it?
A: The Ihram garments for men consists of two pieces of white sheet. Wrap the larger sheet around your waist to cover your body from the navel to the ankles. Secure the Ihram either with a belt or by a strip of fabric torn from Ihram material. Drape the other sheet over the back and shoulders and wear a pair of stitched or unstitched sandals or shoes which do not cover the ankles. The head should not be covered, and no underwear should be used. The Ihram should preferably be white.

Q: Should women wear the Ihram?
A: Women are allowed to make Ihram in any dress they wish which fulfills the Islamic conditions of public dress, regardless of the color. Women's hands and face should be uncovered in Ihram. Their heads should be covered.

Q: Are there things I should and shouldn't be doing while I am in a state of Ihram?
A: Yes, a Muhrim (someone who is in state of Ihram) must observe certain obligations and prohibitions.

These are:
* Keep your head uncovered at all times. Women should keep their heads covered
* Do not shave, cut your hair, clip your nails, use perfume, or wear sewn clothes of any kind
* Do not perform marriage or get married yourself
* Do not kill an animal of any kind for any reason, unless it poses a danger to you and to the others.
* Do not enter into conjugal relations with your spouse. Avoid suggestive and provocative talk or gestures and remain focused on Hajj

Prominent features of the Pakistan Hajj Policy 2011
(Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamabad, Pakistan)


Pakistani Hujjaj quota has been increased from 159,647 to 179,256.


Hajj scheme 2011 shall be implemented through Government Hajj Scheme and Private sector i.e. Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) with proportionate share of around 50:50.


There shall be no balloting this year under Government Hajj Scheme and applicants will be considered successful on the principle of “first come first serve”.


The applications under Government scheme will be invited from 15th April to 10th May 2011 through designated banks.


Under the Government Hajj Scheme, there will be two categories of accommodation i.e. Green Category within 2000 meters without transport with a rental ceiling of Saudi Rayal (SR) 4000/- per pilgrim and White Category beyond 2000 meters with transport with a rental ceiling of SR.3600/- per pilgrim.


The rent in Makkah Mukarramah will be charged on actual basis from pilgrims and at Madinah Munwwarah at a flat rate of SR.450/- per pilgrim.


PIA has agreed for airfare @ Rs. 72,000/- for south zone and Rs. 84,000/- for north zone.


Hajj dues of White category will be Rs. 200,847 for south zone and Rs. 212,847 for north zone.


Hajj dues of Green category will be Rs. 210,047 for south zone and Rs. 222,047 for north zone.


Hujjaj will be airlifted by the national airlines of both countries in equal share, in pursuance of the revised Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Government of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


15% of the total seats under Government scheme will be reserved for hardship cases, pilgrims recommended and funded by charitable institutions and Labour/low paid Employees of different organizations/corporate entities under corporate social responsibility etc. Balance number of seats, if any, will be allocated to late comers at an enhanced package @ 5% of the Green category to fill the resource gap for welfare activities.


A broad based Accommodation Hiring Committee comprising five members will hire the accommodation in Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah.


Hujjaj under Government scheme will not be required to pay any amount on account of Personal Exchange Quota (PEQ) and same will be arranged by them from open market through banks or foreign exchange companies.


There shall be no fresh enrolment of HGOs in the year 2011. HGOs already enrolled with MORA in the year 2010 shall continue in 2011 with the same quota.


HGOs will offer only two packages i.e. economy and executive.


For the welfare services, Medical Hajj Mission will be increased from 260 (2010) to 540 (2011), 230 Khuddam ul Hujjaj to be drawn from Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces & Pakistan Boys Scouts and number of Local Khuddam ul Hujjaj to be increased from 250 (2010) to 900 (2011) subject to availability of resources.


A comprehensive awareness campaign and training to the intending pilgrims will be launched.


Hujjaj Mohafiz Scheme based on the concept of “Takaful” will be launched with the contribution of Rs.400/- non-refundable by each Haji for compensation due to death / accident during Hajj.


There will be a committee of Parliamentarians called “Hajj Advisory Committee” to advise on policy, planning and management of Hajj operation 2011 in Pakistan as well as in KSA.


Any person who has performed Hajj during the last five years will not be eligible except Mehram, Group Leader or undertaking Haj-e-badal.


International Machine Readable Passport, Computerized National Identity Card and medical certificate shall be mandatory.


All pilgrims (Male/Female) to affix a Pakistan flag sticker on their “Ahrams” for identification. Every female pilgrim to carry at least two “Abayas” preferably of black colour.


Pilgrims to ensure that their luggage is labeled bearing Name, Nationality, Passport Number, Air Carrier, Building and Flight Numbers.


Monitoring and supervision mechanism for Hajj operation in Pakistan and KSA shall be strengthened.