Hajj 2025: UAE leaders congratulate Saudi King on successful season
As the wrapping up of Hajj 2025 season nears, UAE leaders have expressed their congratulations to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the success of organising the pilgrims' journey to the Muslim holy sites.
This year, more than 1.6 million Muslims are performing the sacred pilgrimage, with majority of them from outside Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to congratulate him on the successful season.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed "his sincere congratulations on the success of the Hajj season this year, which was achieved by the grace of Allah the Almighty, and thanks to the generous care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, his wise government and its institutions, to ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals in tranquillity and safety".
Similar messages were sent by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain also congratulated the Saudi king on the occasion.
After a year that saw fatalities because of heat during Hajj, the kingdom has imposed higher penalties this year for anyone attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, including fines of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals, arrest, and deportation. The kingdom also suspended short-term visas for 14 countries earlier this year, and security personnel can be seen across holy sites in Makkah.
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