Saudi Arabia announces sacking of senior officials at Hajj services company

They failed to provide proper services to pilgrims, Saudi ministry says

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  Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah. AP

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  Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. AP

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  Muslims take part in Hajj rituals at the Kaaba in Makkah. AP

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  Reporters fly over the Grand Mosque. AP

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  Hundreds of buses wait to carry pilgrims. AP

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  A satellite image shows pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. SPA

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  Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

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  Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

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  Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

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  Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

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  Pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

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  Pilgrims walk before casting their stones. Reuters

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  Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

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  Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

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  Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

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  Pilgrims walk to cast their stones. Reuters

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  Hajj pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual in Muzdalifa, Saudi Arabia. EPA

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  Pilgrims collect pebbles. EPA

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  Pilgrims cast stones. AP

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  Pilgrims cast stones. AP

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  Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

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  Pilgrims pray as they gather at Mount Arafat. EPA

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  Saudi Arabia this year is allowing one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in two years. EPA

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  A Saudi police helicopter patrols over Namira Mosque in Arafat. AP Photo

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  Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. Reuters

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  Pilgrims arrive on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA

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  Pilgrims climb Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, as people congregate on the plains of Arafat. EPA

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  Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

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  A Muslim woman prays atop Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Muslim pilgrims touch the pillar atop Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Pilgrims gather to pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy. AP Photo

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  Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

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  Pilgrims pray on the Mountain of Mercy. AP

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  Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

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  Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

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  Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA

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  Pilgrims pray at the Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque on the eve of the first day of Hajj. SPA

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  Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

The chief executive and another senior official have been dismissed from a company in Saudi Arabia that provides services to Hajj pilgrims, the kingdom said on Thursday.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the pair were sacked for failing to provide proper services to pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The company and the officials were not identified, but the ministry said the pair would be the subject of an investigation.

Hajj, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, begins on Thursday. More than a million pilgrims from around the globe will take part.

The number of pilgrims was restricted over the past two years owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ministry has repeated its commitment to providing proper services to pilgrims, saying it would not tolerate any shortcomings that affect those who perform Hajj.

It said field teams will monitor companies throughout the pilgrimage.