Suggestion to help Haj piligrims and tourists

Myths Abound on Jeddah’s Monuments
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=105212&d=2&m=1&y=2008&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

JEDDAH, 2 January 2007 — With the conclusion of the Haj, foreign pilgrims are flocking to the Bride of the Red Sea for sightseeing with Jeddah’s renowned monuments being a particular attraction.

Since last week, Haj operators, especially the Indonesian ones, in cooperation with local tourist companies, are providing pilgrims an opportunity to visit various parts of Jeddah. As days go by the number of pilgrims visiting the city have been increasing.

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Hassan Saqr, a tour operator, said that the absence of regulations in the field of tourism and unqualified personnel has resulted in guides making things up to entertain the visitors.

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The article explains that tour guides totally make up stories they tell the pilgrims about who is buried where, objects used by prophets (like Adam), and do not take them to many of the prime locations in this great city.

I have a suggestion for the benefit of the next year Haj pilgrims and for tourists and pilgrims year around. I suggest that students of Islam and foreign language collaborate to create a welcoming brochure and map of the holy historical sites with accurate information and explanations. These brochures would be affirmed to be accurate by their teachers. One brochure could be written for each city and then published in every language of Haj pilgrims. They would be available at arrival points for tourists and pilgrims and therefore counteract inaccurate guide information. This would be a formidable task for a government bureaucracy but instead it is ideal for students in university of Islamic studies and foreign languages. It will also truly help the students in their quest for knowledge and proficiency. I hope someone finds this respectful suggestion useful.