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December 29, 2006 |
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PRINCE STATES: WE DID NOT SAY ON ANY DAY THAT THE SUBJECT OF TERRORISM IS OVER. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PILGRIMS ARE AMONG THE KINGDOM'S UTMOST PRIORITIES Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, has opened Mina Emergency Hospital. This fully equipped 300-beds Hospital is established by the Ministry of Health within ten months at a total cost of SR 158 million. The Minister of Health, Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Mane, thanked Prince Naif for gracing the opening ceremony of the hospital. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Mane stated that the hospital includes varied specialties and clinics including 28 beds facility for intensive medical care and 56 beds facility for emergency cases. "The experimental operation of Mina Emergency Hospital started Sunday", he added. The Ministry of Health prepared this year 21 hospitals in Makkah, the Holy Places and Madinah with a total in-patient capacity of 3, 970 beds. Four of these hospitals are in Mina with a total of 620 beds which can be increased to 172 additional beds in case of an emergency. In addition, the Ministry of Health prepared 145 health centers. Off these, 88 centers were allocated in the Holy Places; 46 in Arafat, 30 in Mina, 6 in Mozdalifah and 6 on both sides of the Jamarat Bridge. The number of the workforce in these hospitals and health centers is 9, 600 medical, para-medical and technical personnel. Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of Hajj Higher Committee patronized an inauguration ceremony of ''Conference of Pilgrims' Safety and Health''. A speech ceremony was held on this occasion. Addressing the conference, Prince Naif said that the Kingdom since its foundation to the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince and to the future has undertaken among its priorities the service of the Two Holy Mosques and the mobilization of all capabilities for the comfort of pilgrims through the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques; construction of roads, tunnels and bridges; improvement of services of housing, health, transportation and communications; and other pioneering services for the benefit and comfort of pilgrims. Prince Naif pointed out that the Kingdom has been performing its duties in the service of the Two Holy Mosques, pilgrims, visitors of prophet's mosque and Umrah ( minor pilgrimage) performers and in the service of Islam and the glory of Muslims. The health and safety of pilgrims are among the Kingdom's utmost priorities and plans every Hajj season to enable pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals at their own best, Prince Naif said and noted that the ministry of health and all medical bodies of the ministries have been working to directly provide high standards of health services, wishing the conference all success. On his part, the Minister of Health Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah al-Manie thanked the Prince's patronization of the conference which embodies the keenness and interest of officials to develop services being provided for pilgrims. He pointed out that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz has exerted efforts, time, and money to preserve the safety and health of pilgrims. Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, who is also Chairman of Hajj Higher Committee, has lauded the government's preparedness and comprehensive facilities for this year's Hajj to enable pilgrims perform their rituals in ease and comfort. He made these remarks in an annual press conference on Hajj following an inspection tour of Hajj-related governmental facilities in Makkah and other sacred places. Prince Naif welcomed the representatives of local and foreign media for covering Muslim's great annual event. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Naif welcomed the pilgrims who came to perform this year's Hajj, wishing them comfort and successful Hajj, forgiveness and safe return to their home-countries. Prince Naif, then, answered the questions raised by reporters. As regards the issuance of an official "Fatwa" allowing the throwing of pebbles before noon, Prince Naif said that everyone must be happy this year due to the great improvements that have occurred in the Jamarat bridge, which will contribute to the prevention of over-crowding, God willing. "With respect to the issuance of "Fatwa" on the throwing (of pebbles), as you know that Ulema (Islamic scholars) have their views and references and I am not specialized in this field to discuss this subject," he added. "Some Ulema said of allowing the throwing and on this basis we notify the persons in charge of Hajj not to prevent any pilgrim who would perform throwing (ritual) and we hope that Hajj this year will witness no incidents of the over-crowding. If every one sticks to tranquility, nothing would happen," he added. In an answer to a question about the Declaration made by the Ministry of Interior as regards arrest of the 136 wanted persons and the reasons for the rise in the numbers of the wanted and whether these procedures alone are enough to counter terrorism, Prince Naif said that we did not say on any day that this subject is over. The security has a task which is to follow up these matters. The preparations are completed and the activity of security bodies is continuing in this field. Regarding the latest information on the reasons leading to the outbreak of the fire in Al-Ghaza building for furnished flats yesterday, he said "With the blessings of God, there was no injuries among the Yemeni pilgrims residing in that building. Moreover, a small number of the injured persons were affected with suffocation and were released from hospitals. What has been provided to them is the duty and mission of security men, especially the members of the civil defense staff. We thank and appreciate these efforts and we are happy that no Yemeni brother was injured in the incident. We thank the concerned Yemeni authorities for their appreciation regarding this incident. We should not be thanked for the duty we perform, we must do it for all pilgrims and Muslims in the Kingdom. In reply to a question regarding the security cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Prince Naif said that there is a security agreement and it is developing continuously, stressing that security cooperation between the two countries is currently at the best level. With regard to the direction of security orientations of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) towards finding a common program in the field of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, he said "I think that the statement issued by the Jaber summit held in Riyadh was clear and comprehensive on this matter because it is for peaceful purposes and in accordance with the international laws and does not need to be clarified." In response to another question about the pledges asked by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from some Islamic countries as regards barring their citizens to transfer regional tensions with the nature of sectarian outlook to the Hajj season, Prince Naif said "Firstly, this matter does not need us to ask for pledges from anyone. Hajj is a well-known ritual and it should be performed in accordance with the Islamic Sharia and what we have learnt from the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) during his last farewell Hajj. "Therefore, Hajj is not a field for any issue other than what must be done by the pilgrim to complete Hajj. I believe that this is known to everyone and hope that this will be well understood. But at the same time, we would not allow the occurrence of such a thing whatever it is and wherever it comes from." Referring to security arrangements and expectations with regard to the breach of security during Hajj season, Prince Naif said "everything needs to be developed and we work on improving our services. Therefore, security services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be at the best level." He added. "As regards, our expectations for anything, all these are kept in mind every year, and Thank God as you all know that the previous Hajj seasons passed without any security breaches. This Hajj season will be like the previous ones if not better, God willing. All previous Hajj seasons were safe and clean of any security breach," he said, stressing that all security sectors have made the maximum preparations. Commenting on the researches conducted by the Hajj Research Institute which showed that 1, 200, 000 pilgrims last year did not carry permits and these constitute one of the reasons for the phenomenon of sleeping on the pavements and sidewalks, Prince Naif said that the pilgrims who come from outside and inside the Kingdom perform Hajj by permit cards. However, the population of Makkah is more than three million people, so it is difficult to prevent or control such pilgrims. It is difficult to encircle the holy places with barriers. I think this is one of the religious issues that religious scholars (Ulema) have talked about. So, as long as the State identified Hajj procedures and stipulated that pilgrims from inside the Kingdom both Saudi and other residents should get Hajj permits from the concerned authorities, they must respect these directives because this may prejudice their Hajj. However, some Ulema may be more proficient to speak on this matter. What comes from the State by an order from the responsible authority should be respected and this is a religious rule. However, even Jihad does not have validity unless a consent is given by the responsible authority. Prince Naif hoped that the violators of Hajj regulations observe in totality all the specified regulations. With regard to the phenomenon of sleeping on the pavements and sidewalks in Mina by some pilgrims, Prince Naif said "This act is not acceptable by the Kingdom, which hopes that no pilgrim will do such a thing." He stressed that this topic is of interest and is under study by the concerned authorities. Commenting on prospects of using modern technology in the service of pilgrims in the upcoming seasons, Prince Naif underlined the importance of making use of modern technology which advances each year in numerous sectors and can be utilized for works and services of pilgrims. He also praised efforts made by the government and private sectors related to Hajj services in the field of guidance, advisory services and education of pilgrims. Replying to a question on the Kingdom's position towards the Lebanese situation, he said "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz reiterated the position of the Kingdom towards Lebanon in words and deeds. We hope that they stand together and give their country the first priority before any political and ideological trends. This is what we hope for and this is what is supported by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his government. Referring to the existence of alternative plans to face any problem that might arise in Hajj, he said "I have already spoken and I repeat, we hope that nothing happens and we hope that all pilgrims respect this ritual and this country. We take into account any developments, and this is a normal security basis". "We always expect anything to happen. We are not aware of things unseen, but thank God we will face things firmly and strongly depending on God before anyything, then on the ability of security men in facing these things and on the good directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince," he noted, stressing that the participants of the security services are available in adequate numbers for each event. In response to a question about new projects or laws expected to be applied to assure the level of awareness of the pilgrims and their adherence to the arrangements prepared for them to perform the ritual, he said "Firstly, the Ministry of Culture and Information did what is required of them towards media men and certainly the Minister of Culture and Information and the Minister of Hajj are present with us. I am pleased that any media persons can come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and know all facts related to the country. Asked to comment on the Ministry of Interior's reach to the bodies funding terrorism after the security successes in this field, Prince Naif said "the security agencies are concerned about this matter. We are trying to reach every thing and all things related to their financial sources. With regard to investigations into the incident which took place in Jeddah recently, he said "the investigation is still under way and has not completed so far, and everything will be announced on time." Prince Naif mentioned the issuance of a new security list for wanted persons, saying that this matter is proceeding ahead and that everything will be announced on time. "The Ministry of Interior used to announce all what is achieved for the public through the official spokesman. This is the method that will be followed on these matters." Prince Naif mentioned the security plan prepared for the Hajj season this year as well as issues regarding pedestrians in the Holy Places and how to ensure their safety. He explained that traffic men were allocated to assist the pedestrians in organizing their walk and directing them to the right direction. Commenting on a question about the existence of an intention on the part of the Kingdom to reduce the number of pilgrims or limit percentage for each State due to the implementation of the developmental projects in Makkah and the holy places, Prince Naif said that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has no intention to reduce the number of pilgrims. |
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