Haj Committee of India has uploaded Circular No.29 (Haj-2016 Haj Cooking Green Zone Makkah Mukarramah– Regarding Kitchen facility for Hajis of GREEN Category). According to building hiring norms every, building in Green Category and Aziziya in Makkah has been provided one kitchen for upto 30 pilgrims.

But, now SA Civil Defence Department had directed that no cooking is permissible in Markaziya ( area closed to Haram Shareif) Green Zone in Makkah Mukarramah. Consulate General of India, Jeddah vide e-mail /faz message No. Jed/Haj/118/Catering/2016 dated 18th August, 2016 have informed regarding this through Saudi Ministry of Haj & Umrah along with Saudi Civil Defence Department. Authorities of Saudi Arabia have given warning to building owners to remove all the facilities related to cooking in the building which include removal of gas stove and cylinders else they would be fined. Building owners are compelled to remove the kitchen facilities . They have conveyed the message to the pilgrims staying in their building .

Consulate has raised the requirement of kitchen and cooking facility for Indian pilgrims with Saudi authorities , enforcement of Saudi norms of no cooking in Markaziya / Green category cannot be ruled out. The new norms about cooking prohibition in the Markaziya / Green Category may please be apprised to the pilgrims at the Embarkation point itself .

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