The Hajj pilgrimage, an essential pillar of Islam, attracts millions of Muslims to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, each year. The Hajj pilgrimage is a profoundly spiritual journey, and for many Muslims, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Given its importance, the process of organizing Hajj visits is typically highly regulated, involving stringent requirements and coordination with the Saudi authorities. The Saudi authorities have long been praised for their well-conceived preparations and efficient management of the Hajj pilgrimage, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of millions of pilgrims each year. Their planning and execution have consistently provided a safe and enriching experience for pilgrims from around the globe.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance provided about 1,485,000 religious services during this year’s Hajj season starting from the beginning of Dhu al-Qi’dah in 1445 AH, benefiting more than 2 million pilgrims.
The services included directing and guiding Hajj pilgrims in various locations in Makkah and Madinah, the central area, and the Holy Sites in international languages. Over 600 male and female preachers and translators took part, utilizing the latest technologies and devices to educate and guide pilgrims, answer their inquiries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel also announced the successful execution of health management efforts during this year Hajj season.
The health system had provided over 465,000 specialized treatment services, including 141,000 services to those who did not obtain formal authorization to perform this year Hajj.
The healthcare services also offered included dialysis, cardiac catheterization, open-heart surgeries, and emergency care, totaling more than 30,000 ambulance services, with 95 air ambulance operations ensuring the delivery of advanced health services in medical cities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Saudi Arabia Railways transported more than 2.2 million pilgrims on 2,206 trips across the nine stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina during this year Hajj.
The women’s sectors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque also achieved remarkable success in providing religious services to female pilgrims during the Hajj. The women’s departments have launched specialized religious programs and initiatives to deepen the spiritual impact of the Hajj on pilgrims’ hearts.
The entire world lauded the Saudi government’s significant efforts in taking measures during this year’s Hajj season. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior Spokesperson Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub has also confirmed the success of the Hajj season’s security plans. He emphasized that the success of these security measures is a testament to the coordinated efforts between security, military, and government departments.
He also reported that 83% of the total mortalities during the Hajj season, amounting to 1,079 out of 1,301, were among those without Hajj permits. The spokesperson expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. He emphasized the efforts to intensify awareness campaigns and media against performing Hajj without permits and to enforce severer penalties for violators. He said that some individuals have been abusing visit visas and other non-Hajj-specific visas. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the spokesperson noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly nations have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for the purpose of Hajj and encouraging them to violate regulations by staying in the holy capital 90 days before the Hajj season.
He underlined that a Hajj permit is not merely a transit card but a crucial tool that facilitates access to pilgrims and identifies their locations to provide necessary care and services promptly. The absence of a permit also poses challenges in some violators to offer healthcare and services. The spokesperson lauded the strict measures taken by some brotherly nations against these deceptive companies and the corrective actions they have executed to prevent future violations.
