Kingdom puts pilgrims' safety first during Hajj

Arab News

2 days ago

Each year, millions of Muslims travel to Makkah, Madinah, and other holy sites to perform Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam and a powerful act of faith, unity, and submission to Allah.
In recent years, including this Hajj season, the Saudi government has made major efforts to ensure a safe, organized, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
Pilgrims now benefit from a wide range of services, including healthcare, transportation, logistics, guidance, and social support.
These efforts support the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience.
This year, pilgrims receive free medical care, with services expanded by more than 60 percent compared to previous years.
Pilgrims will also benefit from major upgrades in digital infrastructure across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites. More than 9,000 4G and 5G stations now serve the area — a 6 percent increase from last year.
Network capacity has been boosted with more than 2,000 km of upgraded fiber optic cables (up 7 percent), and more than 10,500 free Wi-Fi access points have been installed. To ensure smooth service, more than 4,000 digital professionals and engineers have been deployed.
Pilgrims also have access to advanced digital banking via the Nusuk Wallet — the world's first international wallet integrated into the Nusuk platform.
Launched last year by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the Saudi National Bank via its NEO digital arm, it enables pilgrims to manage transactions independently and with ease.
To ensure a peaceful and well-organized Hajj, Saudi security authorities have enforced strict measures to maintain safety and order.
These measures aim to prevent unauthorized activities, including performing Hajj without a valid permit. Violators face fines of up to SR20,000 ($5,300), with non-Saudis also subject to deportation and a re-entry ban of up to 10 years.
These rules are not meant to block Muslims from fulfilling their religious duty, but to ensure the pilgrimage is safe, orderly, and well-regulated — especially with millions gathering in limited spaces.
Effective crowd management is essential at key sites like Arafat and Muzdalifah to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of stampedes.
The permit system plays a vital role in regulating the flow of pilgrims and ensuring their safety throughout the Hajj season.
Obtaining a Hajj permit allows medical teams to better plan and respond to health emergencies, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion, which are common during the pilgrimage.
It also supports government efforts to manage infrastructure and services, including roads, transportation, accommodation, healthcare, and food, ensuring the holy sites can meet pilgrims' needs.
The permit system helps maintain order, minimizing disruptions and allowing pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey in a safe, well-organized environment.
It also enables efficient coordination among authorities for the smooth delivery of essential services.
Given these benefits, pilgrims are urged to cooperate with authorities to ensure a dignified, safe, and well-managed Hajj for everyone.
• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz