Online registration for Haj to begin from Shaaban

Online registration for Haj to begin from Shaaban Registration for the pilgrimage season of 1435 AH - 2014 will start from the beginning of the month of Shaaban and extend to the end of the month for Qatari nationals, GCC citizens and residents through the website  www.hajj.gov.qa, which is available in both Arabic and English, the Haj and Umrah Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced. Director of Haj and Umrah Department Ali bin Mubarak Faihani has called on applicants to be accurate in data entry and to verify their validity to ensure the acceptance of the application, explaining that the registration should be done online. He explained that the applicant, after entering the data, will receive a message indicating the completion of the registration process, including a password to login once again in case the applicant wishes to include associates, on the condition that the resident or the associates have resided in Qatar for three years or more. The department confirmed that the process of sorting out the applications will be done electronically immediately after the end of the registration as it relies on a sophisticated system of registration and sorting. The website of the Department of Haj and Umrah includes all the conditions and instructions for the registration process, required documents in addition to educational brochures on Haj rituals, information about the services provided to pilgrims by air and land contractors and bulletins on disease prevention, safety and risks. Qatar’s Haj quota for the season of 1435 AH will be 1,200 pilgrims.

Investment in ‘hospitality sector pushing land prices’ A section of businessmen has attributed the increase in land prices to the growing interest in investing in the hospitality sector, local daily Arrayah has reported. A large number of real estate projects have been proposed for construction by 2022 and these include 250 projects in the hospitality sector, many of which will be hotels containing 90,000 rooms. Another 55,000 rooms will be provided in different types of realty projects, the report states. The businessmen point out that the price of land comprises around 60% of the total value of hotel investments and that the tourism plans include the establishment of 125 hotels before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, of which 85% will be in the four- and five-star categories. Due to this, they have stressed the importance of land being offered at reasonable rates in order to check the inflation rate in terms of land prices, according to the report. The businessmen feel that a hike in land prices affects the economic feasibility of investing in the hospitality sector. They also point out that while around 90% of investments is allocated to five-star hotels, there is a need to set up more “affordable” hotels to attract more guests, the report stated. Businessman Abdulazziz al-Emadi said competition among entrepreneurs for hotel investments tends to be guided more by reasons of social recognition without much consideration for economic feasibility. Other businessmen highlighted the need for the development and promotion of the tourism sector, which will support the hospitality industry and hotels in Qatar, the report added. Pavement encroachment rising: CMC official The Central Municipal Council (CMC) vice-chairman and services committee chief has observed that encroachment of the state properties, particularly pavements, had been increasing alarmingly, local daily Arrayah has reported. In a proposal presented to the CMC on the encroachment of state property, Jassim al-Malki stated that it had been noticed that these spaces were being used to park vehicles, equipment and boats. Al-Malki said he had earlier submitted a proposal that was discussed and which resulted in recommendations being presented to the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning, with the ministry promising to study the same. However, the matter has escalated and the encroachment of state property needs to be stopped now, it was observed in the report. Al-Malki said the new proposal was submitted after receiving information from the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning that the issue concerned the Ministry of Interior and the Traffic Department, according to the report. However, a number of CMC members opposed the new proposal arguing that it would cause difficulties to people at a time when car parking space was scarce and inhabitants should not suffer more, the report said, adding that the proposal was referred to the services committee for study and recommendations.

 Awareness drive on coronavirus The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has said it is intensifying its awareness campaign on coronaviruses, including the virus which causes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or Mers. The SCH’s intensive awareness campaign about coronaviruses includes a variety of media and social networking sites aside from print materials that deliver the message in several languages. The council has also created an electronic page on its website to provide general information on the viruses, health definitions, instructions and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). The website also provides clear and simplified answers written in both Arabic and English languages. A hotline is available to receive or provide any information to help prevent, protect and combat diseases caused by coronaviruses. The hotline numbers are 66740951, 66740948 or e-mail: cdc@sch.gov.qa Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that infect human beings and animals and are usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as colds and severe respiratory inflammation. The latest variety of these viruses is the Corona Mers virus. The SCH campaign focuses on various forms of prevention such as regular and proper washing of hands with soap and water or the use of disinfectants and sanitisers, especially after coughing, sneezing, and use of toilets. The procedure is highly recommended as a preventive measure especially when in direct contact with a person or personal belongings of someone suspected or infected with coronaviruses. Coronavirus symptoms are mostly characterised by an increase in body temperature, difficulty in breathing, throat congestion and in some cases diarrhoea.