{"id":50,"date":"2013-06-26T22:30:18","date_gmt":"2013-06-26T22:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/?p=50"},"modified":"2013-06-27T10:56:05","modified_gmt":"2013-06-27T10:56:05","slug":"oic-backs-plan-to-limit-hajis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/index.php\/oic-backs-plan-to-limit-hajis\/","title":{"rendered":"OIC backs plan to limit Hajis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hajj\"<\/a>The 56-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation has backed Saudi Arabia\u2019s decision to cut the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 percent during this Haj season, saying it was essential to ensure the safety and security of the guests of God.
\n\u201cThis is a temporary decision that was taken as a result of the ongoing expansion work at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and holy sites,\u201d said OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and urged OIC countries to cooperate with the Saudi government.
\nHe said the expansion projects at the Haram Mosque, especially for mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba), are aimed at enhancing facilities for the growing number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah. \u201cWhile supporting the measures taken by Saudi Arabia, we call upon OIC countries to cooperate with the Kingdom in carrying out appropriate measures it has adopted for the purpose,\u201d the secretary-general said.
\nThe cut in pilgrims will be in line with quotas set for each member country and Muslim communities during a meeting of the OIC foreign ministers in Amman in March 1988, Ihsanoglu said.
\nThe quota is fixed at the rate of 1,000 for every one million.
\nMohammad Tayeb, director general of the Foreign Ministry\u2019s office in the Makkah region, told Arab News that the Saudi government has already informed foreign countries through it missions to cut the number of pilgrims.
\nThe Omani Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said it has received the message.
\n\u201cAs a result, Oman will be sending 11,200 pilgrims, instead of 14,000, for Haj this year,\u201d the ministry said.
\nThe capacity of mataf has been reduced from 48,000 to 22,000 per hour because of the ongoing work.
\n\u201cWe understand that the mataf will not be able to hold more pilgrims during this Haj season,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n

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