France Sets Up Consular Office to Help Hag Pilgrims
— a consular office in Makkah — to help pilgrims coming from France for Haj this year, according to French Consul General Issa Maraut.
“It is the first such office for the welfare of pilgrims in Makkah to be set up by any European country,” Maraut told a press conference at his residence here yesterday.
Located in a three-room complex in Mercur Hotel, it is manned by a staff of four people stationed there, and two people going from Jeddah to Makkah every day. The consul general stressed that the office offers 24-hour services to all pilgrims from France.
He said that for the first time SAMU — Medical Emergency Service Assistance — is sending five doctors, of whom four are men, and one woman, and two nurses — one man and one woman.
There are two vehicles provided by SAMU, which are like well-equipped ambulances. These will mostly be in Makkah and Arafat.
“They will be under the Saudi Ministry of Health and will help all pilgrims not just those from France. It is a sort of support for the huge Saudi effort,” Maraut said.
He said that last year four French pilgrims and 12 Algerians living in France had died of natural causes during Haj. On an average there are 4 to 6 natural deaths every year, he said.
There are five million Muslims in France, ranking number two in the country in terms of population. Maraut explained that according to the 1904 law that separated religion from politics, France does not interfere in religious affairs, but in view of the importance of Haj as the fifth pillar of Islam, and the increasing number of pilgrims coming from France, it was decided to extend all possible help to the pilgrims so that they can perform Haj with ease and comfort. “Our goal is to help, protect and assist all pilgrims coming from France,” he said.
The consul general said that till yesterday the Saudi Embassy in Paris had issued 20,000 Haj visas. He expected nearly 25,000 pilgrims from France, including 7,000 French nationals, to perform Haj this year.
He said that to help the French pilgrims perform their religious rites, a booklet has been published in French and Arabic, which has been distributed to tour agents, mosques, imams and institutions.
“It explains everything before, during and after the Haj. How to make preparations, who to contact, how to select agents, Saudi laws and regulations, requirement of vaccinations, how to obtain visa, health insurance and all related issues,” he said.
The consul general said that France appreciates the efforts made by the Kingdom to provide numerous services and facilities to such a massive number of people every year with renewed vigor and improvements. “It is not an easy operation. People abroad have no idea how huge and difficult this operation is where certain things have to be performed at a particular place and time,” he stressed.
“This is my second year of duty and I can testify to that. We realize the efforts made by the Saudi authorities and wish to make whatever contribution we can,” he said and added that the consulate has received help and support from all the relevant ministries and agencies. Maraut said that after the Haj, nine people will be stationed at the Haj Terminal to help the pilgrims in case of delays, provide food and solve extra baggage problems, because many pilgrims are unaware of rules and regulations.
Located in a three-room complex in Mercur Hotel, it is manned by a staff of four people stationed there, and two people going from Jeddah to Makkah every day. The consul general stressed that the office offers 24-hour services to all pilgrims from France.
He said that for the first time SAMU — Medical Emergency Service Assistance — is sending five doctors, of whom four are men, and one woman, and two nurses — one man and one woman.
There are two vehicles provided by SAMU, which are like well-equipped ambulances. These will mostly be in Makkah and Arafat.
“They will be under the Saudi Ministry of Health and will help all pilgrims not just those from France. It is a sort of support for the huge Saudi effort,” Maraut said.
He said that last year four French pilgrims and 12 Algerians living in France had died of natural causes during Haj. On an average there are 4 to 6 natural deaths every year, he said.
There are five million Muslims in France, ranking number two in the country in terms of population. Maraut explained that according to the 1904 law that separated religion from politics, France does not interfere in religious affairs, but in view of the importance of Haj as the fifth pillar of Islam, and the increasing number of pilgrims coming from France, it was decided to extend all possible help to the pilgrims so that they can perform Haj with ease and comfort. “Our goal is to help, protect and assist all pilgrims coming from France,” he said.
The consul general said that till yesterday the Saudi Embassy in Paris had issued 20,000 Haj visas. He expected nearly 25,000 pilgrims from France, including 7,000 French nationals, to perform Haj this year.
He said that to help the French pilgrims perform their religious rites, a booklet has been published in French and Arabic, which has been distributed to tour agents, mosques, imams and institutions.
“It explains everything before, during and after the Haj. How to make preparations, who to contact, how to select agents, Saudi laws and regulations, requirement of vaccinations, how to obtain visa, health insurance and all related issues,” he said.
The consul general said that France appreciates the efforts made by the Kingdom to provide numerous services and facilities to such a massive number of people every year with renewed vigor and improvements. “It is not an easy operation. People abroad have no idea how huge and difficult this operation is where certain things have to be performed at a particular place and time,” he stressed.
“This is my second year of duty and I can testify to that. We realize the efforts made by the Saudi authorities and wish to make whatever contribution we can,” he said and added that the consulate has received help and support from all the relevant ministries and agencies. Maraut said that after the Haj, nine people will be stationed at the Haj Terminal to help the pilgrims in case of delays, provide food and solve extra baggage problems, because many pilgrims are unaware of rules and regulations.
