The Ministry of Islamic Affairs will take over direct supervision of new Hajj programs this coming year, according to the President of the King Fahd Holy Qur'an Gift Committee, Talal Al-Akeel. The programs were sponsored last year by Governor of Makkah region Prince Abdul-Majeed Bin Abdul-Aziz.
Al-Akeel said that, under the new programs, guidelines will be provided to all pilgrims arriving with their mobile phones by means of SMS messages. A welcoming SMS message will be sent in the first instance, followed by some of the Prophet's sayings in the second message.
He said that more than two million books and audiotapes will be distributed among pilgrims at the airport and seaport in 23 languages including English, Arabic, French, Dutch, German, Persian, Chinese and Urdu. Also, more than two million copies of the Holy Qur'an will be given away to pilgrims when they leave the country.
He added that more than 1,000 distribution points would be set up on the streets of the Holy City of Makkah and 50 along the highway.
