Saudi Gazette report

MUZDALIFAH — The National Center for Archives and Records has published two historical documents during the current Hajj season dating back to the period of King Abdulaziz.

The documents reveal King Abdulaziz’s keenness and interest in the affairs of Hajj as well as in the safety of the pilgrims as he provided them with all means of comfort so that they could perform their rituals with ease and safety.

The first document, which dates back to the Hijri year 1351, showed a letter signed by the deputy chief of the Royal Court addressed to the King’s deputy Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz stating that King Abdulaziz did not approve the travel of some pilgrims on foot to Madinah for fear of thirst, hunger, fatigue and heat exhaustion. The letter reflected his concern about the safety and security of the pilgrims by ensuring that they are not exposed to any harm.

The second document, which dates back to 1353, showed a signed request from the deputy director of Public Health, addressed to the King’s deputy Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz instructing to give the necessary vaccinations to pilgrims who arrived by road, in order to ensure their safety and prevent any outbreak of disease or epidemic among them.