Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH – A number of educationists, psychologists and sociologists have emphasized the need to establish nurseries in Makkah and the holy sites of Mina and Arafat to look after small children while their parents perform rituals of the pilgrimage.

They said charitable societies, which distribute water, juices and meals among pilgrims, can extend this service free of charge or for a nominal fee. This will help pilgrims accompanied by children perform their rituals easily while their children can be saved from possible hazards.

"It will also create new job opportunities for Saudi women,” Ghazil Al-Otaibi, a sociologist, told Al-Madina Arabic daily recently. She advised pilgrims not to bring their children while coming to perform Haj as it would cause untold problems for them as well as their children.

Al-Otaibi backed the idea of setting up nurseries in the holy sites to take care of children accompanying pilgrims.

Soun Saad Al-Asmari, a trainer, was all praise for Saudi Haj managers for organizing a hassle-free Haj this year. She said the presence of more than 2.3 million pilgrims paused a big security challenge.

“I have seen some pilgrims carrying small children on their shoulders while going to the Jamarat, where a large number of pilgrims assemble to stone the pillars symbolizing devil. By doing so these parents risk not only their lives but also that of their children,” she pointed out.

Dr. Sahar Subhani emphasized the need to provide special care to breastfeeding women pilgrims who carry their babies with them. “Establishment of nurseries in the holy sites will help these women to a great extent,” she said while underlining the significance of this humanitarian project.

“Nurseries will help women pilgrims perform their rituals easily with peace of mind and devote their time and attention to prayers and meditation,” Subhani said, adding that such nurseries should meet all hygiene and safety standards.

Educationist Abeer Fakira urged charitable societies to take up this important humanitarian project, which will contribute to further improving Haj services. “Charities can establish nurseries with the support of Tawafa organizations,” Fakira said, adding that such nurseries should be run by experts.

Dr. Ali Al-Suwaiheri, a psychology professor, said a lack of nurseries forced many Saudis and expatriates to carry their small children with them while performing the rituals of pilgrimage.

Saad Jameel Al-Qurashi, former chairman of the National Haj and Umrah Committee, said domestic Haj service companies can provide nursery services to pilgrims, following high standards, if the authorities give them permission, allocate plots and extend necessary support.

The Ministry of Education, with the support of the Coordination Council for Domestic Pilgrims, set up a number of temporary nurseries this year on an experimental basis. The project received special care and attention from Education Minister Ahmed Al-Issa.

Mohammed Bin Mahdi Al-Harthi, director general of education in the Makkah region, said it was the duty of the community to take care of pilgrims' children.

“We should arrange an educational program for such children,” Al-Harthi said.

This project will help pilgrims accompanied by children to perform their rituals with ease and comfort. “We should establish specialized child care centers with qualified staff,” he added.