82,000 pilgrims to benefit from heat-resistant tents in Arafat

Over 82,000 pilgrims are expected to benefit from heat-resistant camps set up in Arafat on an area of 120,00 sq. meters. The European-type tents, costing SR40 million, have been set up by the Tawafa Establishment for pilgrims from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia.

Chairman of the establishment’s board of directors, Tariq Anqawi, said the new tents will be added to the old ones established last year.

He said more than 72,000 pilgrims are expected to come from Turkey for this year’s Haj.

“The establishment is determined to provide its pilgrims with the best of services especially that the temperature is expected to be extremely high during this year’s Haj season,” he said.

Anqawi said the establishment’s 43 field offices have completed arrangements to serve more than 180,000 pilgrims who are expected to come from Turkey, Europe, America and Australia.

“We have more than 400 mutawwifs who will be using state-of-the-art technology to serve our pilgrims and group them quickly,” he said.

The establishment’s Deputy Chairman Osama Zawawi said about 85 percent of the European tents have been completed and they are very comfortable to the pilgrims.

“What is remaining is only the electricity connections which we will do according to the safety measures recommended by the Civil Defense,” he said.

Zawawi said the tents are three-storied consisting of an upper dome and side curtains which act as heat insulators.

“We have added power generators to ensure a continuous flow of electricity and have reduced the cooling area in each tent from 48 to 32 meters to ensure pilgrims enjoy cool air,” he said.