Saudi authorities ease transportation burden of pilgrims

Saudi authorities ease transportation burden of pilgrims
Qasim Akinreti, Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian government has introduced train services to convey pilgrims between Muna, Musdalifa and Arafat in a bid to ensure improved hajj operations.

The development is aimed at reducing human and vehicular traffic on these routes which serve as the hub of the climax of the hajj rites.

Habeeb Yusuf, one of the Nigerian pilgrims who boarded the express train said the journey from Arafat to Muna has been reduced from one hour thirty minutes to just twelve minutes.

Pilgrims from Europe, the Americas and North Africa are taking advantage of the train services while other African nationals still prefer to use the conventional bus shuttles due to lack of awareness.

While sharing his experiences on the train with Voice of Nigeria, Habeeb Yusuf expressed the need for the federal government to liaise with the Saudi authorities on how Nigerian pilgrims would utilise the service in subsequent hajj.

The Saudi government is also planning to link the holy city of Medina and Makkah by train within the next one year.

Our correspondent reports that the train service project began in 2008.

Commendation

In the meantime, Nigerian pilgrims have commended the Lagos State government for its contribution to the success of the hajj operation this year.
The government is reported to have provided accommodation facilities in Medinah, Makkah and VIP tents at Muna as well as medical services, subsidy for clothing, and regular free meals for the pilgrims.

The leader of the Lagos State delegation – (Amirul hajj) Oyinlomo Danmole, who is also the state commissioner for home affairs and culture, told our correspondent that the amenities were provided at no cost to the pilgrims this year to show that the administration of Governor Raji Fashola cares for its people within and outside the country.

The inaugural return flight for Lagos pilgrims is scheduled for the 12th of November from the King Abdul Azeez International Airport.

Ekata