Saudi Interior Ministry confirms sustained care, loyalty to martyrs' families during Hajj
MAKKAH: The Ministry of Interior, through the Agency for Military Affairs, is supporting the families of deceased and injured armed forces personnel with a humanitarian program reflecting the leadership's commitment to citizens.
A key part of the program enables relatives of martyrs and injured personnel to perform Hajj at the ministry's expense, along with providing psychological, medical and social care throughout the year.
One beneficiary speaking from Mina, Ibrahim bin Abdulkarim Al-Zahrani — injured in the line of duty and brother to two martyrs — expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom's support.
He said such care reassures families that the Kingdom stands by them and gives them strength to continue serving, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
Al-Zahrani added that the ministry's efforts, under Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, represent the state's respect for the sacrifices of martyrs and its commitment to their families.
Chief Sgt. Salem Al-Qahtani of the General Department for the Care of Martyrs and Injured Families shared his 14-year experience serving the group, highlighting the department's close, familial bond with their families.
'We have followed the children of the martyrs since their early years, watching them grow — some are now our colleagues, while others are performing Hajj through this program under the leadership's close supervision,' he said.
The department develops support programs for beneficiaries, demonstrating the Kingdom's commitment to honoring those who gave their lives for the nation and continuing support for their families.
It also reflects the leadership's approach to supporting citizens and honoring the sacrifices of martyrs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Makkah mosques discovered during the Hajj season: Untold stories of sacred sites
MAKKAH: In Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, spiritual significance extends far beyond the Grand Mosque. Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history. Yet, amid the dense crowds and the rapid pace of modern development, many pilgrims and Umrah performers remain unaware of these sacred sites, quietly tucked away within the city's expanding urban landscape. Fawaz Al-Dahas, professor of history at Umm Al-Qura University, said that Makkah is home to several mosques of profound historical and religious value, yet they remain largely overlooked, receiving neither the media attention nor the organized religious visits they merit. Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He said that this mosque was not merely a physical structure, but a sacred site where the foundational principles of Islam were proclaimed. He also referenced the Bay'ah Mosque in Mina, which commemorates the pivotal moment when the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet, paving the way for the Hijrah and the establishment of the Islamic state. According to Al-Dahas, the importance of these mosques transcends their geographic locations, reflecting their profound political and religious significance in Islamic history. Al-Dahas shed light on Al-Rayah Mosque: 'Located in the Jarwal neighborhood, where the Prophet's banner was raised on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, a powerful symbol of victory tempered by forgiveness.' He also drew attention to Al-Hudaibiya Mosque, situated west of Makkah, where the historic Bay'at Al-Ridwan pledge took place, an event referenced in the Holy Qur'an. He said that while the mosque still stands on the original site of the Treaty of Hudaibiya, it remains largely unknown, with few visitors aware of its exact location. Mohammed Al-Joud, a Hajj and Umrah specialist, said that these mosques were not merely historical structures, but vital educational landmarks that enrich a pilgrim's understanding of the deeper spiritual dimensions of Hajj. He pointed to Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina, where the Prophet and prophets before him are believed to have prayed, as a powerful symbol of the continuity of prophethood: 'Yet, many pilgrims remain unaware of its significance outside the Hajj season.' Al-Joud also highlighted Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, emphasizing that awareness of such sacred sites bridges the rituals of Hajj with their Qur'anic and historical roots, enhancing the spiritual journey. Al-Joud also drew attention to Al-Kabsh Mosque in Mina, linked to the story of the sacrifice of Ismail. He explained that the mosque symbolizes the values of sacrifice and obedience, yet remains largely overlooked in media coverage and excluded from most pilgrimage programs. He described it as an essential part of a broader, interconnected network of sacred sites that trace the prophetic journey — from revelation to migration, and from peace to conquest. Al-Dahas underscored the importance of launching awareness initiatives to shed light on these mosques and restore their rightful standing. He said that safeguarding Makkah's Islamic heritage was not limited to preserving its prominent landmarks, but also required reviving these historically significant mosques, which once stood as pivotal markers along the journey of the prophetic message. He said that reconnecting pilgrims with these sacred sites revived the educational and historical depth of Hajj, enriching the journey with a more profound, informed, and spiritually immersive experience.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the authorities involved in organizing the 2025 Hajj season, praising the efforts that contributed to its success, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In separate cables sent to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, both leaders thanked the minister, regional governors, committee members, and all security, civil, and government personnel who took part in delivering a smooth and safe pilgrimage for nearly 1.7 million worshippers. King Salman described the season as a success by the grace of God and the coordinated execution of comprehensive security, health, organizational, and service plans. He highlighted the pilgrims' ability to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, in a secure and spiritual atmosphere. 'We followed with pride the great efforts made by all sectors in serving the pilgrims of the house of Allah,' the King said. 'We were pleased with the dedication and excellence shown by everyone in attaining the honor of serving the guests of the most Gracious.' The king also thanked all those involved for their Eid Al-Adha greetings, prayed for the acceptance of the pilgrims' Hajj, and asked God to grant continued success in serving Islam and Muslims. Prince Mohammed echoed the sentiments, expressing thanks for the congratulations and for the collective commitment shown throughout the season. He attributed the successful management of the Hajj to divine support, the leadership of King Salman, and the tireless work of all entities involved in executing the wide-ranging plans. He also praised the careful monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims. 'We pray to God to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to sustain the blessings of security on our homeland, and to accept the Hajj of all pilgrims,' the crown prince said. The Hajj season this year saw 1,673,230 pilgrims perform their rites.
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
420,070 personnel served 1.67 million pilgrims during Hajj 2025: GASTAT
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on Tuesday released its official Hajj 2025 Statistical Bulletin, revealing that 420,070 individuals from both the public and private sectors, including security agencies, served the 1,673,230 pilgrims who performed Hajj this year. Of those working in the service of pilgrims, 92% were men and 8% were women. The total also included 34,540 volunteers — male and female — who collectively contributed 2,134,398 volunteer hours within the holy sites during the Hajj season. GASTAT's data also showed that 314,337 pilgrims benefited from the 'Makkah Route Initiative,' representing 20.9% of all foreign pilgrims. The initiative, launched in 2017, streamlines the arrival process for pilgrims from eight countries by conducting pre-travel immigration procedures. The bulletin reaffirmed previously released figures, stating that a total of 1,673,230 pilgrims performed Hajj this year. This included 1,506,576 foreign pilgrims arriving through various entry points and 166,654 domestic pilgrims, comprised of both Saudi citizens and of the total pilgrim count, 877,841 were men and 795,389 were said its data relies on administrative records from the Ministry of Interior, providing a high degree of reliability and accuracy. These records cover the full range of pilgrim demographics and services provided, following a statistical methodology applied consistently over the past five years.
