The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued an advisory for Haj pilgrims from Qatar to ensure their safety during the journey.
“We wish for the safe arrival of the Qatar Haj Mission to the sacred places. Qatari Haj pilgrims are advised to follow the safety guidelines during their journey and their stay in the holy lands,” the MoI said in a post on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
Providing general tips, the advisory says pilgrims should keep their travel documents safe and prevent any damage or loss. They should also keep a copy of their passports with them for reference, if necessary.
The MoI has “strongly advised” pilgrims to properly understand the location of their tents and camps at the holy sites and learn about surrounding roads in order to have smooth access to the places where they stay.
Important phone numbers – of those in charge of tents, escorts, group leaders, etc - should be saved. Pilgrims should also have light snacks and enough water at intervals to remain in good health, the ministry has said.
To ensure safety and prevent accidents and injuries, the advisory says pilgrims should avoid rushing into crowds during Tawaf, Saa’y and stoning rituals. They should also use umbrellas for protection from sun rays and rain in order to preserve their health.
Pilgrims need to exercise caution when boarding and alighting from a bus and should avoid rushing with others to prevent accidents, the MoI has said.
Further, the advisory notes that pilgrims should avoid walking in tunnels meant for vehicles, while also pointing to the risks of sitting along pedestrian ways.
The ministry has advised pilgrims to follow the instructions of security personnel while travelling between holy sites. They should also observe safety measures in their camp to avoid any other accidents.