By Majed Al-Nifaie

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, during his recent visit to Taif, has instructed officials to remove four places frequented by pilgrims of various nationalities to seek blessings.

The four locations in Bani Saad village in the Misan area of Taif governorate included two trees and a rock. Pictures of pilgrims in ihram kissing and hugging the trees and the rock to invoke blessings from Allah appeared on various social media platforms.

There is also a three-room structure that the pilgrims visit for worshiping Allah. The fourth location was a piece of land where the pilgrims used to sit on for long hours hoping to be blessed.

Such visits and practices are against the teachings of the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

A committee consisting of the police, the municipality and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, carried out the emir's instructions by felling the two trees, and leveling the rock and the piece of land.

Prince Khaled also ordered the formation of a committee comprising representatives of the police and a number of government departments concerned with the Haj services to investigate the violations.

The committee will question the Umrah companies that transported the pilgrims to these places with a view to penalizing them.

Concluding his annual inspection visits to the areas of the southern Sahel on Tuesday, Prince Khaled told the residents of Qunfudah that the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) would award the contract to build an airport in the city within 60 days.