UAE camps ready to receive Haj pilgrims

Mina/Arafat: Well-equipped makeshift camps in the holy sites of Mina and Arafat are now ready to receive UAE pilgrims who are bracing themselves for the big day - to stand on Mount Arafat on Friday to mark the climax of the Haj season.

According to Obaid Al Za'abi, head of the UAE Haj mission's tents committee, the Mina camp is erected on an area of about 10,000 square metres with a housing capacity of 6,500 pilgrims.

"The camp is provided with 120 toilets and two central kitchens and all its tents are air-conditioned, furnished and fixed with fire extinguishers," he said.

Al Za'abi pointed out that UAE Haj contractors had the liberty to enter into agreements with their Saudi counterparts to equip their tents.

Stretching over an area of 37,500 square metres, the Arafat camp has a capacity to accommodate 15,000 pilgrims.