Pilgrims warned: “Don’t accept food from strangers”
A circular has been issued by some Consulates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia warning would-be-pilgrims not to accept food and drink from strangers.
The circular was disseminated on Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites following a recent incident in Mecca, where several Indian pilgrims fainted after drinking a cup of tea offered by a stranger, who then allegedly stole their belongings.
Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, Deputy Consul General for India was quoted by the daily Arab News to have said that: “We have already brought this incident to the attention of Saudi authorities and they have launched an investigation. We issued the circular as a precautionary measure. ”
He added that: “We issued the circular to raise awareness among pilgrims and to warn pilgrims also against walking alone in less populated areas.”
Meanwhile, Islamic Affairs Minister, Saleh Al-Asheikh has said on State TV that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Al-Saud has instructed his ministry to host 1,400 pilgrims from different parts of the world to perform Haj this year at the government’s expense. He says over 40 African countries will benefit from the Monarch’s gesture. The king’s gesture reflects the Kingdom’s desire to establish stronger relations with Muslims all over the world, Saleh added.
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