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| Source: KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Children at the Hajj. |
The facilities aim to provide an educational, qualitative and secure environment, supervised by qualified staff to meet the education, entertainment and healthcare needs for the children of Hajj pilgrims. This helps to reduce the likelihood of congestion and infection, lost children or dangers at the holy sites, while the pilgrims perform their rites.
Pilgrims with children can request this service during Hajj permit registrations at the Ministry’s portal starting from this year. In addition to both the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Education, other entities participating in this service include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Development and Tatweer. Tatweer is wholly-owned by the government and provides educational services.
Children aged from two months to 10 years will be welcomed from 18 to 24 August, categorised as:
– Infants from 2 months – 1.5 years
– Toddlers from 2 – 3 years
– Children from 6 – 10 years
They will be educated in five languages: Arabic, English, French, Malawi and Turkish.
Children will be protected by various means, including access controls using fingerprints for children, parents and authorised staff, as well as identity checks with relevant security entities. The system also includes surveillance cameras.