For Hajj 2013, special plans have been made as
always for the convenience and safety of guests of God. These plans include the
number of pilgrims that will be allowed to come for Hajj this year, the
packages that will be offered to them, how their safety will be ensured, proper
training and guidance of pilgrims, accommodation for pilgrims at Makkah and
Madina, transport charges from Jeddah to Makkah and others like health
facilities that will be provided to them. All these things require proper
planning before the time.
A number of travel agencies are present in UK
from where you can get information about Hajj 2013. In the past there was not
any association in Britain that would keep the rights of Muslim minority
specially in London where most of the Muslim population is present. As a result
no one was there to manage the matters related to Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage and
all of us are aware of the problems that pilgrims can face regarding it. So,
keeping this in mind the Association of British Hajj was made in 1998. The
purpose of this association was to work for the social welfare of Muslims in
London and to activate the higher authorities somehow and convince them to
consider Muslim rights with reference to Hajj and Umrah. The other underlying
purpose was to train and guide Muslims for Hajj and Umrah and to design
packages for them.
From 1998 up till now, many other societies have
also been made to ensure the safety and rights of pilgrims in UK and the
government has also taken steps for British Muslim rights. Previously the
British Government has made an objection on the private companies working for
the purpose. However, Hajj 2013 is free from any obligation by British
government. Almost 23,000 British Muslims went to Saudi Arabia for performing
Hajj and the number is even greater for Hajj 2013.
Although it is the ultimate wish of every Muslim
to perform this 5th basic component of Islam and the Saudi government also
takes care of their sacred desires, some problems should also be considered
while making the decision, as for Hajj 2013 Saudi government has advised
pilgrims to postpone their Hajj plans for the next 2 years, as construction is
going on in the Haram and Mafat for expansion, that was the demand of
increasing number of pilgrims each year. This expansion will benefit the
pilgrims in the future. Apart from the advice of Saudi government still almost
2 million foreign pilgrims are expected for Hajj 2013. Therefore, avoiding any
mismanagement, keeping the safety of pilgrims and controlling the whole pilgrimage
along with the construction, is going to be a comparatively tough job this
year.
