RABAT, December 22, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – While Moroccans continue making it to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, the authorities are throwing their weight behind the issue of organizing the annual spiritual trip, in a bid to curb annual obstacles and hardships.

"The government will inspect the travel agents' ability to organize hajj trips and finally accredit them according to a number of criteria, including the financial status of the agency, credibility and ability to honor commitments in accordance with Moroccan laws," IslamOnline.net correspondent says.

The Ministry of Tourism will directly monitor the performance of the travel agencies and distribute ratios among them, the correspondent added.

Minister of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy Adil Douiri told parliament last week such measures were meant to control Hajj trips and exclude agencies that do not abide by the law and regulations governing pilgrimage tourism.

Hundreds of Moroccan would-be pilgrims were denied performing the holy rituals in previous years due to failure of some agencies to honor their commitments, the minister cautioned the parliament.

Ratios would help the government better organize the trips to the holy lands, he said.

Minister of Waqfs and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq said his ministry enhanced the coverage of medical assistance to Moroccan pilgrims by 50% compared to last years.

"We sought the help of the Defense Ministry to provide more medical services to the pilgrims," the minister said.

Toufiq said Moroccan pilgrims would be landing in Madinah airport in addition to Jeddah, to avoid delays.

The government moves come after hardships and obstacles had almost become annual features associated with the season of the holy trip.

Moroccans have accustomed themselves to scenes of pilgrims in their white, unstitched dress gathering before travel agents to protest the ill-organization of hajj trips and organizers' failure to honor regulations and laws.

Some pilgrims ridiculed the situation saying they "meant to tour the holy lands and circumambulate Kaabah, not travel agencies and government departments".

Toufiq also said the government has coordinated with the Saudi authorities to allow airliners carrying Moroccan pilgrims landing in Madinah airport in addition to Jeddah, to avoid delays.

The government has withdrawn license from travel agents due to irregularities, while others were temporarily suspended for less violations and a third group fined for minor ones.

The first batch of Moroccan pilgrims arrived in Madinah Thursday December 15 from Tangier and Wajda airports.

Some 20,000 Moroccans perform pilgrimage on annual basis, in addition to other Moroccans who head for the holy lands from abroad including Arab and foreign countries.