JEDDAH: Representatives from the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) expressed their dismay on Thursday at the condition facing stranded Haj pilgrims at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport.
“The National Society for Human Rights made 10 observations during its trip to both Jeddah’s north and south terminals,” said Hussein Al-Sharief, director of NSHR's office in Makkah province.
“These included the failure to provide free drinking water to pilgrims, also (not providing) supplies for pilgrims, also the failure to post instructional signs in multiple languages inside airports halls.”
The NSHR accused Haj and Umrah service providers of inadequate scheduling when transferring pilgrims. Some of these companies drop pilgrims off long before their departures in order to end their obligations. This practice leads not only to inordinately long wait, but also causes unnecessary crowding at the terminals.
On the other hand, pilgrims who miss their flights experience difficulties in re-scheduling due to the large numbers of travelers leaving Jeddah after Haj. For them there is little recourse except to camp out on the floor of the terminal.
“There were old nine elderly Hajis from Tunis who spent four days in the airport because they couldn't find a flight to home,” said Al-Sharief.
“Their booking problems were exacerbated by passport violations they were not aware of. They needed help from the Haj Ministry, which was not available.”
Al-Sharief said all observation during the airport tour will be submitted to Haj authorities and General Authority of Civil Aviation.
Arabnews.com
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