TIMES JAZIRAH, MADINAH – The Organizing Committee of Hajj (PPIH) in the Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia, continues to prepare everything to welcome the pilgrims who will enter the peak of their worship in Mecca. One important preparation is the readiness of the Bir Ali location, where pilgrims take their miqat to begin the obligatory Umrah.

For this the PPIH in the Madinah Region has conducted an inspection of the readiness of Bir Ali on Sunday (28/5/2023). They do a last minute check to make sure the pilgrims able to do their hajj routine comfortably.

Zaenal Muttaqin, the Head of the Madinah Region, stated that the preparation for Bir Ali is almost 100 percent complete. The officials have received the necessary instructions and training. They are ready to welcome the pilgrim groups heading from Madinah to Mecca.

"According to the plan, the pilgrims will take their miqat in Bir Ali on June 1st. Initially, it was estimated that there would be five groups departing, with a total of approximately 1,899 pilgrims," Zaenal said.

Five Bus Stations will be Prepared for Just Indonesian Pilgrims

Zaenal explained that there are five stations prepared to welcome the pilgrims in Bir Ali. The first station serves as a location for checking buses and pilgrims who have arrived in Bir Ali. This is important to ensure that no pilgrims are missed.

Furthermore, the fifth station is responsible for ensuring which bus groups have left Bir Ali for Mecca. The roles of these two stations are crucial as they oversee the entrance and exit gates of Bir Ali.

As for stations two, three, and four, they will be manned by officers who will provide services and guidance to the pilgrims on their way to the mosque, ensuring that they have done the ihram and recited the intention for Umrah in Bir Ali.

"After arriving in Bir Ali, the pilgrims will disembark from the bus, perform ablution, and perform the two units of optional prayer. It should be noted that gates 2-5 are for male pilgrims, while gates 6-7 are for female pilgrims," Zaenal explained.

Zaenal also reminded the pilgrims, especially the elderly, not to force themselves to disembark in Bir Ali. Although facilities such as wheelchairs have been prepared, the niat or intention made inside the bus is still considered valid.

Additionally, Zaenal advised the pilgrims to maintain their health by using personal protective equipment and avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. He also suggested that pilgrims always wear footwear while engaging hajj routine either in Madinah or Bir Ali. (*)