
Saudi interior minister urges full compliance to ensure pilgrims' safety
Saudi Gazette report
MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia's Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, affirmed the leadership's commitment to providing world-class services to pilgrims and emphasized the importance of coordination between Hajj service companies and security agencies to ensure the safety and security of worshippers.
Speaking during a visit to security and military leadership at the Ministry's headquarters in Makkah on Wednesday, Prince Abdulaziz stressed that Hajj is a top priority for Saudi Arabia's leadership, which has provided all necessary resources to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage for all.
He noted that integration between security, military, and service sectors led to successful crowd movement to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah and the start of the ascent to Arafat.
He instructed authorities to maintain continuous oversight to preserve safety and order throughout the pilgrimage.
The minister praised the awareness and cooperation of pilgrims of all nationalities, attributing the success of the plans to their commitment to official guidance.
He also commended security personnel for their dedication and teamwork in serving the guests of God.
Director of Public Security and head of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, provided an operational briefing, confirming the readiness of all forces to continue implementing security phases to safeguard pilgrims.
In a separate meeting with heads of Hajj service companies, Prince Abdulaziz urged full adherence to official schedules for the movement to Arafat and for the stoning rituals, especially to avoid heat-related risks.
He later inspected the readiness of Arafat camps and reviewed enhanced services and infrastructure introduced for the season.
He also visited the Jabal Al-Rahmah shading project, which features innovative umbrellas designed to reduce heat stress. These high-spec materials reflect over 47% of solar radiation.
The interior minister reviewed the readiness of the Mashair Train and observed the transport of pilgrims to Arafat.
He was briefed on trip scheduling and crowd management strategies coordinated with relevant agencies.
He boarded one of the trains to Mina 3 (Jamarat station) to inspect the station's direct integration with the fourth floor of the Jamarat Bridge, enhancing safe and smooth pilgrim movement.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited security units managing crowd flows around train stations and reviewed the operational strategy of the Special Emergency Forces, who play a vital role in crowd control at the Jamarat site.
Their 2025 operational plan includes new infrastructure: six support buildings, 11 escalator buildings with 386 escalators, and advanced cooling systems to mitigate heat stress.
The interior minister toured the Hajj Operations Center in Mina, observing real-time security coordination and transport updates.
He was briefed on the latest smart technologies, including AI-powered platforms like 'Midan,' 'Sawaher,' 'Baseer,' 'Smart Cities,' and 'Roya,' developed by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), used to monitor, analyze, and enhance security performance.
He also reviewed key service performance indicators tracked by the Hajj Project Management Office under the Guests of God Service Program, which coordinates efforts across more than 50 government agencies.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Hajj ministry seeks documentation of housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has called on Umrah service providing companies, establishments, and foreign agents to document housing contracts for Umrah pilgrims in tourist hospitality facilities licensed by the Ministry of Tourism through the "Nusuk Masar" platform. The move is part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to ensure high-quality services for Umrah pilgrims and enhance operational efficiency throughout the Umrah season. The ministry clarified that the issuance of Umrah visas is now contingent upon a documented contract with licensed hospitality providers. This measure aims to regulate the hospitality sector and ensure Umrah pilgrims to have a safe and comfortable experience from the time of their arrival until departure. This directive came into effect from the beginning of the Umrah season on Dhul Hijjah 14, 1446 AH, corresponding to June 10. Authorities emphasized the importance of early contract documentation and strict adherence to the approved regulations to avoid delays in visa issuance or exposure to regulatory action. This decision reflects ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Tourism to raise the standard of services, protect Umrah pilgrims' rights, and prevent practices that could negatively impact their experience.


Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Passports Directorate completes departure procedures for first flights of pilgrims from Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports completed the departure procedures for the first flights of pilgrims via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah after they performed this year's Hajj rituals in ease and comfort. The Passports Directorate confirmed its readiness to complete departure procedures for pilgrims through all land crossings, airports, and seaports in Saudi Arabia. It stressed the importance of pilgrims adhering to the departure times for their home countries after performing the annual pilgrimage.


Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
‘Soaring in the air': Returning Pakistani Hajj pilgrims praise spiritual experience despite intense heat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised the smooth organization and facilities provided during this year's Hajj, despite facing intense heat in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Pakistan's post-Hajj flight operation began with the arrival of PIA flight PK732 in Islamabad earlier in the day, carrying 307 pilgrims. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of seven flights are scheduled to transport 1,496 pilgrims to Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Karachi on the first day of the repatriation operation. 'A total of seven flights carrying 1,496 pilgrims will land on June 11, while the post-Hajj flight operation will conclude on July 10 with the last flight landing in Islamabad,' Muhammad Umer Butt, spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry, informed. Speaking to Arab News at Islamabad International Airport, returning pilgrims praised the Hajj experience, describing it as spiritually uplifting and logistically smooth, crediting the Saudi authorities for their efforts. 'It [Hajj] was very good and an amazing experience,' said Muhammad Waseem from Attock. 'It was very hot, but the Saudi government had made good arrangements— there was water and fans everywhere.' He said the Saudi authorities had taken excellent care of the pilgrims and ensured things remained smooth. Those who followed their group schedules found the experience far less strenuous, he continued. 'Only those people got tired and faced difficulties who did not follow their scheduled timings fixed by the authorities for different groups for the Hajj rituals,' he noted. Abdul Malik, a pilgrim from Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, echoed similar sentiments. 'The arrangements were very good,' he said. 'When Allah calls a person to visit His House and the Mosque of His Prophet [PBUH], it feels as if the person is soaring in the air. Such is the feeling which cannot be described in words.' Samina Bibi from Islamabad called her Hajj deeply spiritual and fulfilling. 'My experience of Hajj was very good and I prayed for everyone, including all the Muslims,' she said. 'Only Allah Almighty can understand my feelings during Hajj.' Bibi informed it was her second visit to the Holy Places, having previously performed Umrah, and found the arrangements to be 'very good.' Abdul Haq, another pilgrim from Islamabad, reflected on the ease with which his journey unfolded. 'When I intended to perform Hajj, after that, Allah made everything easy upon easy, and we prayed for everyone including Muslims sitting in front of the Holy Kaaba,' he said. 'The arrangements made by the Saudi government were excellent. We faced no difficulties during Hajj.' While he acknowledged the natural hardships due to the heat in Mina and Muzdalifah, Haq said the experience remained 'smooth and truly unforgettable.' 'In Hajj, there were not really difficulties, but there is hardship, mainly due to the heat,' he added. 'However, overall, our Hajj was so wonderful that it's beyond words, and we kept thanking the Saudi government for all the arrangements throughout.' This year's Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities. Pakistan, which sent over 116,000 pilgrims under both government and private schemes, was among several countries managing large-scale contingents in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.