RIYADH, Feb 20: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued guidelines to service providers catering to domestic Hajj pilgrims, stressing the importance of following scheduled meal times during the upcoming pilgrimage season. The ministry has specified meal distribution times for pilgrims at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, ensuring that pilgrims receive compensation for any delays in meal service.

According to the directives, breakfast on the day of Arafat will be served from after the dawn prayer until 10 am, lunch from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, and dinner at Muzdalifah immediately after the pilgrims arrive from Arafat. Similarly, meal timings on the Day of Tarwiyah and the Days of Tashreeq will include breakfast from 5 am to 10 am, lunch from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, and dinner from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

In the event of delays, pilgrims will receive compensation, which may double if the delay exceeds the specified corrective period. Compensation rates include 5% of the total package value for lunch delays on the day of Arafat, and up to 3%, not exceeding Saudi Riyal 100, for delays in other meals.

For significant delays or meal service failures at the holy sites, compensation will be provided, with specific amounts set based on the severity and timing of the delay. Service providers must address meal provision issues within a two-hour window, failing which affected pilgrims will receive compensation ranging from 1% of the total package value, with specific caps for different meals throughout the Hajj period.