Saudi Arabia exposes violations in Hajj meals

Cairo: Saudi authorities have said they exposed violations in pre-made meals served to pilgrims during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the meals did not meet the conditions stipulated in related contracts in terms of preparing and serving the meals.

The ministry was quoted in the local media as saying that some Hajj service companies had contracted low-quality catering providers, breaching the contracted specifications.

Penalties will be meted out against the violators after an ongoing inquiry is completed, the ministry added.

The violations were unmasked during inspection tours by competent authorities to verify the standards of the rendered services and compliance with commitments.

Sources at the ministry said the violating companies will also be obliged to reimburse the affected pilgrims for the meals.

Around 60,000 Saudi and foreign Muslims residing in the kingdom representing 150 countries have been picked to perform this year’s Hajj that started on Sunday.

Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is a must for all Muslims to perform at least once in a lifetime if they can financially and physically afford it.