Department of Statistics and Information's staff at the six statistics Hajj centers at the entrances to Makkah began counting the number of local pilgrims on Thursday.
In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, head of the Hajj Statistics Center in Taif Fahd Eida Al Harthy said The counting process is carried out by using handheld devices with the aim of obtaining data which can be used in a number of areas, most notably in the preparation of future plans and programs to ensure the necessary services to the guests the House of God, as well as the estimation of manpower to serve the pilgrims.