Gaza, 15/3/2016 --- Press House hosted a conference for Human For Democracy Center and Haj and Umrah Owners to talk about the reality of pilgrims issues. The Human For Democracy and rights issued that closing Rafah crossing for a long time has deprived Gazans to make Umrah for the second year.
The center confirmed that though they got promises from many to facilitate Pilgrims movement, the crossing has not been opened, so that pilgrims offices have been affected and closed.
The center added, " After we contacted Adel Sawalha, the head of pilgrims at the Ministry of Awfaq in Gaza, he confirmed that 1100 pilgrims have registered every two weeks, under the crisis of ending the registration.
Sawalha said that such contacts with Egypt through the Ministry of Alawqaf have been done, though every attempt failed.
Through a phone call with Awad Abu- Mathkour, the head of pilgrims associations, he said that economics losses of the offices are increasing without any compensation or support from any entity, neither the Palestinian Authority nor the Nongovernmental organizations.
He followed, " the losses rate ranges between ( 1000-1400) dinar, while the number of offices working in the Strip is estimated to be 79, and the annual losses are 1 million dollars. Abu-Mathkour explained that closing the offices deprives 237 workers, who take responsibility of families, clarifying that peoples need for registration caused losses.
About their movement through Erez , Abu Mathkour said that its difficult and impossible, since it causes security dangers on pilgrims, and costs the offices owners and the pilgrims so much money, comparing that with Rafah crossing.
