The challenges of performing Haj are not just religious, they are personal as well as administrative
Haj has always proven to be an enlightening experience for anyone who has taken the sacred steps to Mecca and Arafat. And as of any of the nearly 100,000 Pakistani Hajis who responded to the call of Labaik this year, me and my wife too were finally blessed and tread the sacred path to Kaaba.
However, during my stay there, I felt that there are a few issues that need to be tackled more throughly. Mind you, I am not indulging in the religious aspects of Haj, rather the organization that goes in keeping more than three million Muslims safe and sound.
At the same time, I do not wish to cause embarrassment to anyone. I feel I am not qualified to discuss Haj related issues. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that perhaps such an initiative from an inexperienced person would in turn instigate the truly experienced, educated and enlightened people who posses a broader understanding of Haj to come forward and share their experience. This would help spread awareness and could be of value to those people who wish to perform Haj in the near future.
BRIDGE TO JAMARAH: Recently, the Saudi authorities announced the construction of a new flyover to reduce crowding at the Jamrah Bridge.
Before starting construction of the flyover, I think the design of the existing Jamarah bridge needs to be reconsidered
The existing bridge has an unbelievably huge cross section over which people walk. It can be roughly compared with that of any main river cross section (maybe it is of the size of River Naran’s cross section at Balakot). It has one huge entrance ramp (facing Mina) and one West Exit ramp facing Makkah. Through the entrance ramp people walk towards Jamarah in three large size, steady left, right and middle, human streams.
I am still unable to fully understand as how a person would walk from extreme left and right stream, that are running parallel to the bridge walls, to the centre, to stone Jamarah in immensely crowded situation without risking his or her life?
A similar risk exists in the middle human stream. When it comes close to the small Jamarah the pressure, because of the increase in crowd density, reaches such an extent that one finds it difficult to breath and walk.
When we were there, to reduce overcrowding and eventually pressure on the upper level, the Saudi police attempted to reduce crowd densities at the upstream of the entrance ramp and just before the small Jamarah. They cordoned off the areas near Jamarah and at entrance ramp to help create vacuum to reduce crowd density. The designers in its design should have initially considered this factor in the first instance.
The situation under the Jamarah Bridge at ground level is even more dangerous. There are no fixed entry and exit points — people swarm towards Jamarah practically from everywhere as opposed to the overhead bridge where there is only one entrance and one exit. This creates mayhem, chaos and serious confusion.
During the first day I encountered people coming out from the ground level after performing the ritual with minor head injuries and torn clothes due to the struggle. Others had lost their slippers and most were breathless due to crowd pressure. In short practically there is no crowd control at the Jamarah Bridge. Also no consideration is taken into its design as how elderly, handicapped and children would perform the ritual.
It is my humble request, that the Saudi authorities revisit the Jamarah design taking into consideration the unique crowd conditions and the process of ritual before rushing towards construction.
OVERCROWDING AT ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS: In the vicinity of the entrance ramp and west exit ramp street vendors who occupy a significant portion of the road where people walk, cause overcrowding. This in turn increases crowd density. In addition, on the upstream of west exit ramp serious overcrowding is caused due to huge food lorries parked randomly at the downstream of the west exit ramp. The Saudi police are soft on vendors, which must be appreciated as most of these vendors come from a very underprivileged class. The Haj brings them an opportunity to earn a thin trickle.
The Saudi Haj Ministry could consider allocating some designated space for these poor people at the downstream of the west end exit where the crowd densities are less concentrated.
The real culprits are these huge lorries. They are parked randomly all along the West End exit. They cause two serious problems. First, they occupy a significant portion of the road that could have been used by the pilgrims to walk towards Makkah. Second, the truck staff throws food parcels towards walking crowd. This creates chaos and confusion and results jostling and minor stampedes amidst the crowd. These lorries should be moved further down the west end exit where there is comparatively less crowd concentration. One of the better places could be the surroundings of Shesha Bin Dawood.
USED SHAVING BLADES: Hundreds of used shaving blades are practically littered at the west end exit of the Jamrah bridge. These are courtesy of the walking barbers who did a roaring business during the day and then discarded these on the road.
During the day a good number of people loose their footwear and walk barefoot. Majority of the pilgrims use soft rubber slippers, which can be cut by these such sharp blades. These blades pose a serious health hazard to the millions who pass through these exits. The Saudi authorities should stop these walking barbers.
Other than the concerns at the Jamarah bridge, there are other issues that the Hajis themselves have to tackle.
SHOULD I TAKE CHILDREN TO HAJ: According to the Dr Sami Ahmed Omar Badawood, Director General Mina General Hospital, pilgrims should not bring children under 12 years of age along with them. Children are susceptible to breathing problems and can even develop asthma from being caught up in crowds and the dust for long periods of time. Moreover, there is a risk of accidents happening to them while their parents are engaged in performing Haj rituals.
SHOULD I CARRY MEDICINES: Medicines are very expensive in the Kingdom. Bonjela (an antiseptic pain relieving gel) cost roughly SR17 whereas in Pakistan it costs about Rs20. Though there are dispensaries available, but you can save yourself from hassle if you carry some basic medicines with you. Attached herewith are a list of drugs that I referred and used. However, this list should be referred to, only after consulting your doctor.
WHAT FOOD SHOULD I HAVE: At Haj, it is a shame to note that Pakistanis form the longest queues in front of toilets. They complain that toilet facilities are inadequate. The problem, however, lies deep in our eating habits. Most of the Pakistanis continue to consume customary Pakistani spicy food. After having Qorma, Biryani, Nihari, Tikka etc., who wouldn’t run for the toilet?
Eat simple. Fruits (bananas and oranges), yogurt and biscuits are the best bet during Haj. Believe me, your stomach will remain stable and consequently you will spend relatively little time in front of the toilets.
LUGGAGE: Unnecessary extra luggage will cause you unnecessary trouble. If you can sleep on the mat, there is no need to take the bedding; if you can do with 2-3 pairs of clothes, there is no need to carry the entire wardrobe, as some of our ladies (as well as some men) love to do.
PHYSICAL FITNESS: If you want to avoid getting exhausted or suffering from fatigue, then you should think about an exercise routine (i.e. walking) and begin it several months ahead of the Haj. Your efforts will definitely pay-off during Haj and you will stay fit and healthy.
AVOIDING STAMPEDE: First, find like-minded people within your group. As a group you can exercise a little influence over your Haj operator in choosing travel times according to the group’s wishes.
Second, make yourself precisely aware, in the religious sense, of the timings in which travel is allowed from one place to another. As a group you can influence your organizer only if you are precisely aware of these timings.
RIGHT FOOTWEAR: The best footwear at Haj is the inexpensive rubber slipper. It is easy to wear and allows free air access to your foot. But if you want to wear something that covers your ankles, then laceless ‘sneakers’ are the best option.
ID WRISTBANDS: On arrival in the Kingdom, you are provided a wristband over which your Maktab’s complete address is written. You have to fully understand the importance of this wristband. If you are lost in the crowds of millions in Mina, Arafat or Muzdalfa this wristband is perhaps the only identification through which an official (i.e. a policeman) could help you trace your group. Try never to remove your wristband during the Haj period. It is waterproof and printed in indelible ink and continuously exposing it to water will not erase the print.
GLARE AND SUNLIGHT: If you are not used to sun glare, which are very bright in Saudi Arabia, you will find it difficult to keep your eyes open in the daylight. Therefore, sunglasses are a must.
SLEEPING PATTERNS: You will not get time for enough sleep. Prepare yourself for this exhaustion by practising to sleep in breaks.
WHEN SHOULD I GO FOR HAJ: Majority of the Muslims who arrive for Haj come from impoverished backgrounds. Throughout their life they fight against fate and miraculously, somehow, manage to save a meagre amount near the end of their life for the Haj.
However, if you are one of the rare people for whom money is not such a serious consideration, at least think about the physical rigours of the Haj. Don’t delay it to a point where these are hard to bear.
The challenges of performing Haj are not just religious, they are personal as well as administrative 
