logo
Ahead of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia streamlines visas, boosts social and volunteer services

Ahead of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia streamlines visas, boosts social and volunteer services

Gulf News25-04-2025

Dubai: As millions of Muslims around the world prepare to embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced it is fully prepared for the 2025 Hajj season, unveiling a wide range of initiatives and services to enhance the pilgrim experience in line with national directives.
The ministry said it has streamlined the process for issuing temporary work permits via the 'Ajeer' platform, aimed at facilitating seasonal employment during Hajj.
In parallel, Hajj and Umrah work visas are being made more accessible to businesses supporting the pilgrimage season, ensuring a stable workforce is available at key points across the holy sites.
As part of regulatory enforcement, the ministry plans to intensify inspection visits to monitor adherence to the Kingdom's Labor Law and accompanying regulations, ensuring proper working conditions for employees engaged during the peak pilgrimage period.
The ministry is also expanding its social services footprint at the holy sites. Pilgrims will have access to family counseling and various social support channels, including supervised children's hospitality centers operated by trained professionals.
Volunteerism will also play a key role this year. The ministry is encouraging and coordinating volunteer efforts in several areas, from welcoming pilgrims at border entry points to offering guidance and assistance within the Grand Mosque. Volunteers will support the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and distribute food and water throughout the pilgrimage zones.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hajj 2025: 60 caught sneaking into Makkah on foot in Saudi Arabia
Hajj 2025: 60 caught sneaking into Makkah on foot in Saudi Arabia

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

Hajj 2025: 60 caught sneaking into Makkah on foot in Saudi Arabia

Hajj security forces apprehended 60 foreign nationals holding visit visas for violating regulations, authorities said on Wednesday. The accused attempted to sneak into Makkah on foot via a desert route, the official Saudi account of Public Security said in a tweet on X. The statement also said that the accused have been referred to the competent authorities for appropriate action and levying penalties. The Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism earlier said that anyone caught transporting pilgrims without a valid Haj permit or offering accommodations to these violators in hotels, apartments, etc., will face a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals. This penalty applies to citizens, residents, and visitors. Those who will be caught performing the pilgrimage without a permit or attempting to do so will face a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals. The same penalty applies to visit visa holders who attempt to enter Makkah and stay there starting Tuesday, April 29 (Dhul-Qi'dah 1) and until Dhul Hijjah 14.

Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun
Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun

Khaleej Times

time5 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun

More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Makkah's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on the holy city of Makkah's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point on Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mouhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem Al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.

On-Road Mobile Stations Support Hajj Pilgrims During Bus Breakdowns
On-Road Mobile Stations Support Hajj Pilgrims During Bus Breakdowns

Web Release

time9 hours ago

  • Web Release

On-Road Mobile Stations Support Hajj Pilgrims During Bus Breakdowns

Saudi Arabia's Roads General Authority has introduced mobile service pods along the Hijrah Expressway that connects Makkah and Madinah. These stations are intended to assist pilgrims whose buses experience mechanical issues en route. For many pilgrims, the journey between Mecca and Madinah is spiritual and physically demanding. Unexpected bus breakdowns can add to the challenges, leaving pilgrims stranded under the scorching sun. Inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, these mobile units are strategically located along the Hijrah Expressway to support distressed pilgrims. In addition to providing physical assistance, they create a feeling of safety and compassion, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to the well-being of each pilgrim. Each mobile unit can host 40 pilgrims and features air conditioning, seating, restrooms, and facilities for serving cold drinks and meals. Functioning 24/7 during the Hajj season, these stations are designed to offer prompt relief and comfort to pilgrims in need. This initiative is part of a larger effort by Saudi authorities to guarantee the safety and well-being of all pilgrims.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store