Latest news with #MakkahRouteInitiative
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Makkah Route Initiative to be expanded: minister
ISLAMABAD: Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, the minister for religious affairs, announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative, a key programme aimed at streamlining the Hajj experience for Pakistani pilgrims, will be expanded ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage season. The initiative, which was first launched in Islamabad in 2019, will now be extended to other major cities across the country, facilitating smoother travel for thousands of pilgrims ahead Hajj next year. Designed to simplify the immigration process, the Makkah Route Initiative allows pilgrims to complete their travel formalities before departing Pakistan, saving valuable time upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. 'Road to Mecca Project' set to commence on 9th Initially introduced in Islamabad and later expanded to Karachi, the programme has already benefited tens of thousands of travellers, significantly reducing waiting times at immigration points and allowing pilgrims to bypass additional checks upon arrival at their destination. Yousaf's announcement follows a recent meeting with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, where both leaders discussed preparations for the upcoming 2025 Hajj season. According to the Ministry for Religious Affairs, the expanded Makkah Route Initiative will begin operations for the 2026 pilgrimage, covering a broader network of cities across Pakistan. In his statement, Yousaf also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the Saudi government for its continuous efforts to enhance the Hajj experience, particularly for Pakistani pilgrims. He highlighted the provision of 'high-quality food, transport, and accommodations' underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to the comfort and welfare of pilgrims. Responding to Yousaf's remarks, Al-Rabiah reassured that Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to offering the best possible services to Pakistani pilgrims, particularly at key pilgrimage sites such as Mina and Arafah. 'A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, and it is an honour to serve them,' Al-Rabiah said. The announcement comes as preparations for the 2025 Hajj season continue. This year's pilgrimage is set to begin on June 4, with the Day of Arafah scheduled for June 5 and Eid al-Adha on June 6. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Religious Affairs reported the successful conclusion of its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, having transported over 115,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in preparation for the annual ritual. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Saudi Gazette
15 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia drives 205,000 unauthorized pilgrims out of Makkah and busts 415 fake Hajj offices
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Director of Saudi Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami revealed that Public Security teams have driven out more than 205,000 people without Hajj permits from Makkah. Addressing a joint press conference of the Hajj security commanders in Makkah on Sunday, he said that the security forces have turned back more than 269,000 people without Hajj permits from entering Makkah. "The Public Security officials have arrested 1,239 people who attempted to transport illegal pilgrims, and imposed penalties on more than 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations. The security teams also busted more than 415 fake Hajj offices," he said while revealing the adoption of punitive measures to deal with violators during the Hajj season. During the press conference, the Hajj security commanders reviewed the security and organizational plans for this year's Hajj season, Al-Bassami said that Saudi Public Security was able to employ artificial intelligence to boost its security plans to crack down on violators of Hajj regulations. He stressed that security personnel will be on the lookout for anyone who violates the Hajj regulations. Al-Bassami said that Public Security has turned back 110,000 vehicles at the entry points to Makkah for transporting unauthorized pilgrims. It also impounded more than 5,000 vehicles that were planning to transport pilgrims without permits. Saudi Public Security has activated permanent security checkpoints at the entrances to Makkah to apprehend violators. Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba revealed that the number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has exceeded 1.47 million. The number of countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative has increased to eight countries with 12 embarkation points. Al-Murabba said that the Passports Department has worked to facilitate procedures for pilgrims in the countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative, indicating that they have equipped ports with the latest technology and provided multilingual staff to serve pilgrims. "We have field teams equipped with mobile bags that provide services at all locations and help identify unidentified persons," he said. Al-Murabba urged the pilgrims to depart quickly after the Hajj season ends to avoid exposing themselves to legal accountability. He revealed that the General Directorate of Passports has made the preparations to ensure the departure of the pilgrims after performing the rituals of Hajj. The Ministry of Interior affirmed its ability to deal firmly and effectively with anything that might undermine Hajj security. The State Security Presidency revealed the availability of robust security plans to manage crowds at the Jamarat facility during Hajj. "Pilgrims are in our eyes, and violators are in our grasp," the ministry said adding that it is providing protection to maintain order at vital Hajj sites. The ministry stated that Special Emergency Forces will carry out field missions to ensure the safety of pilgrims and prevent infiltrators and violators from accessing the holy sites without permission. On Saturday, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud reviewed the readiness of Hajj security forces to carry out their field missions to maintain the security and safety of pilgrims at the annual ceremony organized by the security forces participating in this year's Hajj. "Under the guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, I witnessed today the preparations of the Hajj Security Forces. I am proud of the complete readiness and advanced capabilities I saw, and I ask God to grant us all success in fulfilling our leadership's aspirations for a safe and successful Hajj on all levels," he said.
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan says Makkah Route Initiative to be extended to other cities for next year's Hajj
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative facility will be extended to other cities of the country for next year's Hajj pilgrimage. The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. Yousaf met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Pakistan's religion ministry said on Sunday, to discuss Hajj 2025 arrangements in the Kingdom. 'The scope of the Road to Makkah project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan for the next (2026) Hajj,' Yousaf was quoted as saying by the ministry. He thanked the Saudi government for introducing 'innovations and new facilities' every year for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, including those from Pakistan. 'The best facilities of food, transport and accommodation are being provided to Pakistani pilgrims,' Yousaf said. As per the Pakistani religion ministry, Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom would provide the best possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims at Mina and Arafah. 'A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, it is an honor to serve them,' the Saudi minister was quoted as saying. This year, the Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan on Saturday successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's pilgrimage.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Reports Five Heat Exhaustion Cases Among Pilgrims, Urges Precautions Amid Soaring Temperatures
As temperatures soared at the holy sites, Saudi Arabia confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among the more than one million pilgrims who have arrived to perform Hajj rituals. All those affected received immediate medical attention and are currently in a stable condition, according to the ministry of health, which added that health teams were on high alert to respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. The country's National Center for Meteorology has forecast hot to extremely hot weather conditions at the holy sites during this year's Hajj season. According to the center, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 40°C and 47°C, while minimum temperatures will vary between 27°C and 32°C. Humidity levels are projected to fluctuate between 15 percent and 60 percent. In a post on its X account, the ministry urged pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and follow official health guidelines, such as using shaded walkways, wearing appropriate protective gear, and seeking help at the first signs of fatigue. 'If not treated promptly, heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke within 10-15 minutes — a life-threatening medical emergency,' the post stated. The ministry also advised pilgrims who experience heat exhaustion symptoms to begin immediate cooling measures, such as washing their hands, faces and necks with cold water and moving to a cooler area, as well as drinking plenty of cold water to rehydrate. In its post, the ministry identified headache, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, and severe thirst as key clinical symptoms of heat exhaustion. Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched, and field preparedness has been reinforced, particularly in response to seasonal heat risks. The ministry had announced the health sector's readiness to receive pilgrims, revealing a 60 percent increase in bed capacity compared with last year. Fahad Al-Jalajel, the minister of health, recently confirmed the deployment of over 50,000 medical and technical personnel to serve pilgrims and emphasized the stability of the health situation, with no reported outbreaks or epidemics, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 'Health efforts began early in pilgrims' homelands by analyzing international health risks and issuing clear health requirements, including vaccinations against yellow fever, meningitis, polio, COVID-19, and influenza,' SPA reported, citing Al-Jalajel. The minister underscored the role of the health certificate as the first line of defense during the Hajj season, noting that the Kingdom's health system launched its services with the arrival of the first Makkah Route Initiative flight. As part of the Kingdom's comprehensive preparations, 14 land, air, and sea ports have been fully equipped, delivering more than 50,000 health services so far, including 140 surgical procedures, 65 cardiac catheterizations, and six open-heart surgeries, the minister said. To combat heatstroke risks, Al-Jalajel announced a series of measures in coordination with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. These include planting more than 10,000 trees, installing 400 additional water coolers and misting fans, and expanding shaded pedestrian pathways to protect pilgrims from extreme heat. The ministry of health has also intensified awareness efforts through multilingual campaigns, stationing field teams, launching media programs, and organizing medical missions to ensure important health information reaches all pilgrims. Al-Jalajel further revealed the establishment of a new 200-bed emergency hospital in Mina, developed in collaboration with Kidana Development Co. In addition, three new field hospitals with more than 1,200 beds have been set up in partnership with the ministries of national guard, defense, and interior. These were inaugurated 'alongside 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances, 11 evacuation aircraft, and over 7,500 paramedics,' Al-Jalajel told SPA. The minister urged pilgrims to follow health guidelines and affirmed that the Kingdom's health system is operating at full capacity to ensure a safe and healthy Hajj season for all.
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Maldives president hails Makkah Route Initiative as symbol of Saudi Arabia's leadership
RIYADH: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has hailed Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative as a symbol of the Kingdom's service to Islam and Muslims. 'Their leadership of the Islamic world represents an exemplary model of giving, unity, and service, not only at the two holy mosques but throughout the entire Islamic world, confirming the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading with wisdom and mercy in serving Islam,' he said at the launch of the initiative in his country recently. Muizzu added: 'For the first time, Maldivian pilgrims will benefit from this pioneering initiative, designed by Saudi Arabia under its wise leadership and generously provided within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program emerging from Saudi Vision 2030,' he explained. The initiative enables the completion of all passport, customs and health screening procedures from the departure point — Velana International Airport. Muizzu thanked Saudi Arabia's ministries of interior, Hajj and Umrah, as well as other organizations for their assistance. 'We renew our great gratitude and appreciation for the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, and look forward to enhancing cooperation and joint work under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his crown prince for the good of the entire Islamic nation.' The initiative is now operating in eight countries, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.
