In a press conference dedicated to the preparations for this year’s Hajj season, which corresponds to the year 1446 AH, several distinguished ministers and members of the Higher Hajj Committee participated. Notably, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel, and members of the committee under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of Interior, were present.
At the beginning of the conference, the Minister of Media emphasized the significance of the Hajj season in exemplifying Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in serving the Muslim world. He highlighted the ongoing commitment across all sectors—government and civilian—to ensure this revered tradition is upheld, as per the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This vision positions the service of pilgrims as a strategic goal that seeks to facilitate their reception, offer high-quality services, and enrich their religious and cultural experiences.
He stated that this year’s Hajj demonstrates the intertwining efforts of different government sectors to provide an extraordinary experience in organization and services. The Higher Hajj Committee, led by the Minister of Interior, is tasked with coordinating all efforts to safeguard the security and well-being of the pilgrims. A cornerstone of this plan is the campaign “No Hajj Without Permit,” which is aimed at ensuring orderly procedures and enhancing community awareness about the importance of compliance.
As of the latest updates, over a million pilgrims from abroad have already arrived, with approximately 249,000 benefiting from the “Makkah Route” initiative that streamlines their transit from departure countries to Makkah. Concurrently, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has prepared over 25,000 mosques within Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, distributing 2.5 million copies of the Quran and 1.3 million digital cards featuring QR codes linked to an online library.
The minister also highlighted the vital role of volunteers in this endeavor, targeting the involvement of over 25,000 volunteers, backed by the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector. Regarding water supply, he noted that the daily operational capacity exceeds 1.2 million cubic meters, monitored through a 1,300-kilometer network, where over 4,000 lab tests are conducted daily to ensure quality and safety under the supervision of more than 2,000 Saudi engineers and technicians.
In terms of commerce, the Ministry has conducted over 11,000 monitoring inspections in vital facilities in Makkah and Madinah to ensure the availability of essential goods and market compliance. Additionally, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has deployed over 22,000 personnel, along with 980 vehicles and 177 sheltering facilities, activated a command center linked to emergency services to ensure rapid response.
On the technological front, the Kingdom has invested in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence to manage crowd control and the flow of pilgrims, boasting over 5,000 communication towers, 9,000 4G and 5G stations, and more than 2,000 kilometers of fiber optics. In addition, over 10,000 free Wi-Fi spots will be available for the pilgrims.
The Minister underscored the role of the Unified Operation Center for the Hajj season in enhancing media coordination among governmental entities and improving efficiency and transparency. Notably, the second edition of the “Hajj Media Forum” will be conducted in partnership with the Guest of الرحمن Service Program, engaging over 5,000 local and international media representatives. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority has allocated 25 mobile units and various broadcasting platforms to produce a multitude of reports and programs that capture the essence of Hajj and relay it to a global audience.
In closing, he expressed gratitude towards the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for their unwavering support and meticulous oversight, ensuring a safe and efficient experience for the pilgrims.
Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reported that as of the conference, more than 1.07 million pilgrims had arrived, with 53% being female and 47% male. An overwhelming 94% of these pilgrims came through air, while a small percentage arrived overland or by sea. The Makkah Route initiative has facilitated the reception of nearly 249,000 pilgrims.
Preparations for the Hajj season commenced well in advance; initial arrangements were shared with all relevant authorities, followed by 78 preparatory meetings to enhance readiness and early coordination. A significant conference held last January, which witnessed the attendance of official delegations from 87 countries, resulted in the signing of over 670 agreements aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience.
He reiterated that contracts were documented through the “Nasak Masar” digital platform, collaborating with the Foreign Ministry to issue visas, thereby stimulating healthy competition among service providers and assuring quality at reasonable prices for the guests.
The preparation efforts were closely monitored by the Hajj Projects Office, part of the Guest of الرحمن service program, as part of the broader Vision 2030 framework. This office managed over 5,208 operational plans and 609 operational tasks during the previous Hajj season and regularly engaged in meetings to ensure coordination in ground efforts.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the “Nasak” card had undergone significant upgrades, with over 1.4 million cards issued to both pilgrims and service workers; these cards contain health and accommodation data facilitating movement between key sites. The “Nasak” application has also been revamped to offer a wealth of over 100 new services.
On the practical side, essential entities executed extensive field tests to ensure the readiness of critical utilities like power and water supply across the holy sites. The ministry conducted over 37,000 inspections of pilgrim accommodations, addressing 3,400 noted issues, affirming their commitment to excellence in pilgrim service.
Dr. Al-Rabiah commended efforts by the Ministry of Interior regarding the “No Hajj Without Permit” initiative, which aims to maintain the safety of registered pilgrims while preventing unauthorized entrants.
Addressing the readiness of the Two Holy Mosques, he noted the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has heightened its operational readiness, implementing advanced crowd management techniques and providing more than 400 electric carts for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
He mentioned that during 2024, over 13 million visitors are expected to have visited specific religious sites in the Prophet’s Mosque, showing significant growth in visitor engagement and satisfaction compared to previous years.
Preparations are also underway for all inquiries and feedback from pilgrims through dedicated service centers, enhancing their overall experience.
In conclusion, gratitude was extended to the strategic leadership of the King and Crown Prince for their steadfast commitment to facilitating the Hajj and ensuring the pilgrims’ welfare.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser detailed operational readiness in the transport sector for 1446 AH, with participation from 45,000 employees. He announced the planning of 7,000 scheduled flights providing over 3 million seats, utilizing various terminals across six airports to efficiently manage the influx of pilgrims.
Additionally, he highlighted arrangements for the railway services, noting the provision of approximately 2 million seats through over 4,700 journeys and corresponding expansions in public transport options.
The transport infrastructure includes over 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis, along with maintenance works on over 7,400 kilometers of roadways to guarantee seamless movements among the holy sites.
He also mentioned the introduction of flexible rubberized asphalt for thoroughfare comfort, enhancing the pilgrim experience by reducing road fatigue. Furthermore, improvements in road cooling technologies have been implemented, significantly affecting the ambient temperatures of streets around key religious sites.
In wrapping up, the Minister offered thanks to leadership for the ongoing support to pilgrims, reaffirming the commitment of the transport sector to ensure secure and accommodating travel experiences.
Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel concluded the conference by announcing the readiness of the health system, noting a 60% increase in bed capacity compared to the previous year, with over 50,000 staff members prepared to assist. He reassured that the health situation remains stable, with no epidemics threatening public health, largely due to the collaborative efforts of various governmental bodies to prioritize the health and safety of pilgrims.
He shared that health services commenced early through risk analysis in pilgrims’ home countries, establishing health requirements pertinent to vaccination. The health system’s proactive measures extend to managing heat strain through shade provisions and cooling stations scattered throughout the area.
A new 200-bed emergency hospital near Mina has been established, supported by public-private partnerships resulting in additional field hospitals and emergency points across the region.
The Health Minister encouraged pilgrims to adhere to health guidelines while enjoying their spiritual journey, ensuring that necessary medical assistance is readily available to maintain safety and well-being throughout the pilgrimage.
They collectively expressed appreciation to all partners—governmental, private, and non-profit—for their pivotal roles in realizing the seamless execution of the Hajj.
In summary, the comprehensive preparations made across various government sectors in Saudi Arabia reflect a meticulous commitment to provide a safe and enriching experience for the vast influx of pilgrims during the Hajj season. With carefully orchestrated logistics, enhanced security measures, and dedicated health services, the Kingdom stands poised to uphold its esteemed tradition of hospitality and excellence in managing one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.
