Over 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Kingdom’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, announced the milestone at a press conference today.
Dr. Al-Rabiah reported that pilgrims have completed entry procedures with ease and expressed high satisfaction with their experience so far.
He attributed this success to “Allah first,” followed by the “unlimited support of the wise leadership” and the “dedication of the sector’s workers serving the pilgrims.”
Dr. Al-Rabiah reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to providing the highest level of care for pilgrims.
This commitment, he said, is driven by directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Their focus is on facilitating a smooth pilgrimage experience, including arrival to the two holy mosques and the holy sites and performance of Hajj rituals.
The Minister emphasized the importance of ongoing preparations that began after the conclusion of the 2023 Hajj.
These preparations included meticulous reviews of plans, projects, and initiatives aimed at improving the pilgrimage experience.
Dr. Al-Rabiah also emphasized the importance of pilgrims adhering to regulations and instructions.
They also launched a national campaign, “No Haj without a Permit,” to further reinforce regulations and a smooth and orderly Hajj experience for all pilgrims following proper procedures, according to SPA.
“We have taken measures to select companies specialized in hospitality with distinguished expertise and strong financial capabilities.
“Previously, pilgrims from Europe, America, and countries without organized Hajj delegations faced issues with services arranged through tourism offices in these countries, affecting their experiences, the prices, and the services provided.
“Additionally, some pilgrims became victims of fraudulent practices. Since 1443 AH, we have organized applications for pilgrims from these regions, initially covering Europe and America, wherein applications are submitted electronically, directly without resorting to middlemen or tourism offices to ensure that pilgrims receive the agreed upon services. Last year, we expanded further, going from covering 67 countries to 126 countries,” Al-Rabiah said.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the ongoing success of the Makkah Route Initiative. This initiative, spearheaded according to the Interior Ministry, has facilitated the arrival of over 250,000 pilgrims this year.
He stated that it operates in seven countries through 11 airports, streamlining travel logistics for pilgrims.
Al-Rabiah further said that over the past months, the Ministry had conducted training programs for more than 120,000 workers and pilgrim group leaders.
He highlighted that the multilingual workshops, held both within Saudi Arabia and abroad, equip personnel with the skills to provide exceptional hospitality and service to pilgrims from all backgrounds.
Over 1.2 Million Muslim Pilgrims Arrive In Saudi Arabia For Hajj is first published on The Whistler Newspaper