Latest news with #MinistryOfHajj
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Health
- Arab News
Kingdom puts pilgrims' safety first during Hajj
Each year, millions of Muslims travel to Makkah, Madinah, and other holy sites to perform Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam and a powerful act of faith, unity, and submission to Allah. In recent years, including this Hajj season, the Saudi government has made major efforts to ensure a safe, organized, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage. Pilgrims now benefit from a wide range of services, including healthcare, transportation, logistics, guidance, and social support. These efforts support the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience. This year, pilgrims receive free medical care, with services expanded by more than 60 percent compared to previous years. Pilgrims will also benefit from major upgrades in digital infrastructure across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites. More than 9,000 4G and 5G stations now serve the area — a 6 percent increase from last year. Network capacity has been boosted with more than 2,000 km of upgraded fiber optic cables (up 7 percent), and more than 10,500 free Wi-Fi access points have been installed. To ensure smooth service, more than 4,000 digital professionals and engineers have been deployed. Pilgrims also have access to advanced digital banking via the Nusuk Wallet — the world's first international wallet integrated into the Nusuk platform. Launched last year by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the Saudi National Bank via its NEO digital arm, it enables pilgrims to manage transactions independently and with ease. To ensure a peaceful and well-organized Hajj, Saudi security authorities have enforced strict measures to maintain safety and order. These measures aim to prevent unauthorized activities, including performing Hajj without a valid permit. Violators face fines of up to SR20,000 ($5,300), with non-Saudis also subject to deportation and a re-entry ban of up to 10 years. These rules are not meant to block Muslims from fulfilling their religious duty, but to ensure the pilgrimage is safe, orderly, and well-regulated — especially with millions gathering in limited spaces. Effective crowd management is essential at key sites like Arafat and Muzdalifah to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of stampedes. The permit system plays a vital role in regulating the flow of pilgrims and ensuring their safety throughout the Hajj season. Obtaining a Hajj permit allows medical teams to better plan and respond to health emergencies, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion, which are common during the pilgrimage. It also supports government efforts to manage infrastructure and services, including roads, transportation, accommodation, healthcare, and food, ensuring the holy sites can meet pilgrims' needs. The permit system helps maintain order, minimizing disruptions and allowing pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey in a safe, well-organized environment. It also enables efficient coordination among authorities for the smooth delivery of essential services. Given these benefits, pilgrims are urged to cooperate with authorities to ensure a dignified, safe, and well-managed Hajj for everyone. • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Saudi issues advisory for pilgrims to avoid heat-related incidents during Hajj
Saudi authorities issued an advisory for pilgrims to avoid heat-related incidents by staying inside their camps during a certain duration of the day. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Wednesday warned pilgrims to remain in their camps and away from direct sun between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5, to avoid any heat-related incidents. This year, authorities have increased mitigation measures after 1,301 pilgrims died last year as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 Fahrenheit). Temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C this week as Hajj begins today (Wednesday). This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. The ministry has repeatedly advised pilgrims to avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible, use protective umbrellas and drink plenty of fluids. They have also been advised to pray Dhuhr and Asr prayers inside their tents and refrain from visiting Masjid Namirah or Jabal Al-Rahmah during this period. Pilgrims must also to try to use buses or trains to travel to the Muzdalitat instead of walking. On Monday, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius, the health ministry said 44 cases of heatstroke had already been treated. The latest artificial intelligence technology will also help monitor the flood of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Makkah to better manage the mammoth crowds.
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
Strict permit checks, heat safety rules in focus ahead of Hajj
MAKKAH: Pilgrims without a Nusuk card will not be granted access to the Grand Mosque, the holy sites or transportation services during this year's Hajj, Saudi authorities have said. Speaking at a meeting with heads of official Hajj missions during the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah highlighted the importance of adhering to movement regulations to protect pilgrims and enhance their spiritual experience. He described the Nusuk card as a 'fundamental regulatory tool to ensure orderly performance of the pilgrimage and prevent violations,' according to the Saudi Press Agency. Addressing concerns about extreme weather, the minister advised pilgrims to remain in their tents on the Day of Arafah from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid heat-related illnesses. He warned that uncoordinated group movements compromise safety and disrupt the flow of pilgrims. The Day of Arafah, the most significant day of Hajj, falls on Thursday, June 5 this year. Al-Rabiah added that pilgrims must not walk from Arafat to Muzdalifah and should use designated transport systems instead. He said that effective crowd management and transportation plans are essential for safety and require collective compliance. Al-Rabiah added that this Hajj season will see stricter enforcement of permit regulations, in line with the Kingdom's commitment to a safe, organized and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage. The Nusuk card, issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is a mandatory ID and entry pass for pilgrims and workers at the holy sites. In addition to identification, it aids logistics, facilitates communication with Hajj missions, grants access to schedules and services, and allows pilgrims to submit feedback. It also helps authorities monitor crowd movement and send alerts to ensure a safe and organized pilgrimage. Pilgrims receive the card through their service provider, which is responsible for its distribution. A digital version is available via the official Nusuk app, but it does not replace the printed card, which must be carried at all times. According to the ministry, the card expires at the end of the Hajj season, with all data erased. However, pilgrims may keep the physical card as a souvenir and proof of completing Hajj.
Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi scouts survey pilgrims' accommodation in Mina
MAKKAH: A total of 800 members of the Ministry of Sports' scouting team began surveying pilgrims' accommodation in Mina on Monday. The surveys include collecting field information about pilgrims' housing, landmarks, pedestrian paths and the headquarters of government agencies taking part in serving pilgrims. It is part of the ministry's efforts to support pilgrims and guide those who are lost, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Ministry of Sports has five scout camps in Mina, located in Al-Mu'aisam 1-2, Al-Rabwa, Wadi Muhsar and the Operations Camp. A preparatory course for the scouts was also held before their departure to Mina. The four-day program aimed to prepare them to serve the guests of God, focusing on areas including teamwork, leadership and crowd management. Thousands of volunteers every year assist the pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, which sees about 2 million worshipers visit over the five days. Volunteers work to support healthcare, provide meals, manage crowds and assist with transport.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
49th Hajj symposium highlights pilgrimage in a changing world
JEDDAH: The 49th Grand Hajj Symposium was held in Jeddah on Sunday and gathered scholars, intellectuals and officials from across the Islamic world to reflect on the evolving significance of Hajj in the context of current global challenges. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Council of Senior Scholars, and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), this year's symposium was held under the theme 'Capability in Hajj and Contemporary Developments.' The event underscored how Hajj remains a deeply spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian ritual that has adapted to today's logistical and societal challenges. It sought to align the foundations of Islamic teachings with the practical realities of modern Hajj, from technological and health developments to logistical transformations affecting every step of the pilgrimage. The Grand Hajj Symposium has served as a platform for scholarly exchange for over four decades, fostering dialogue on Hajj among academics and religious leaders. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said: 'This year's preparations for Hajj are the result of integrated efforts aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Guests of Allah Service Program.' He noted that the efforts of the Saudi authorities had significantly improved pilgrim satisfaction from 74 percent in 2022 to 81 percent in 2024. The readiness level for Hajj this year, as of Saturday, had reached more than 97 percent, compared to 81 percent last year. He added: 'We have focused on enhancing the digital Hajj experience and leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to facilitate the pilgrim's journey, ensure their safety, and enhance their comfort.' Key initiatives include infrastructure upgrades led by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, including 170,000 sq. meters of shaded areas, 20,000 newly planted trees, and the construction of rubberized pedestrian walkways at the holy sites. Healthcare provisions have also been expanded with a new emergency hospital, 15 ambulance units, 71 rapid response stations, and 64 two-story health complexes. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has implemented an advanced operational package encompassing enhanced mobility systems, improved spatial guidance, upgraded audio systems, children's hospitality centers, and an enriched itikaf (spiritual retreat) experience. Al-Rabiah said: 'What we witness today in terms of harmony and readiness among various sectors reflects the leadership's care for the pilgrims and its commitment to enabling them to perform their rituals in a safe and seamless environment. 'We strive and hope that these efforts will contribute to the continual development of the Hajj system and the elevation of the pilgrim's experience year after year.' Saleh Al-Rasheed, the CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said that the commission was established to deliver integrated services in line with Vision 2030. He added that a newly launched general transport center had brought together more than 10 entities to streamline the transportation of pilgrims. With over 23,000 buses and the Al-Mashaaer train system in place, the transportation network provides safe and efficient mobility for pilgrims. Enhancements to Makkah's central area and the completion of ring roads have further improved access. Al-Rasheed also stressed that projects managed by the Kidana Development Company — including upgrades in signage, shading and pedestrian facilities as part of a broader strategy — had helped to elevate the overall experience of Hajj. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars Dr. Fahd Al-Majed, in a speech delivered on behalf of the Grand Mufti, said that those unable to obtain a Hajj permit fell under the ruling of lacking istita'ah (capability), even if they were physically and financially able. Educating pilgrims on the jurisprudence of istita'ah was among the key duties, as it served to facilitate the rituals and protect lives, he explained. Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami emphasized the importance of complying with Hajj permit regulations to ensure public health and safety. He said that performing Hajj without a permit 'causes significant harm to law-abiding pilgrims and every visitor to the holy sites.' The Ministry of Interior, alongside other agencies, has led a campaign to curb violations to help contribute to smoother crowd control and reduce risk of overcrowding. Prince Faisal bin Salman, the special adviser to King Salman and chairman of Darah, noted the Kingdom's long-standing commitment to pilgrims. He said: 'Serving the pilgrims has been regarded as a sacred honor, a duty, and a historic responsibility entrusted to the leadership of this nation — generation after generation. 'Their diligent efforts (King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) have led to the implementation of major infrastructure projects and comprehensive services — both logistical and humanitarian — that accompany the pilgrims from the moment they arrive in the Kingdom until their safe departure to their destinations.' Darah also announced a new knowledge-based project to expand research and documentation to reinforce the cultural and scholarly role of the Two Holy Mosques and facilitate scientific and scholarly exchange among researchers and experts from across the Islamic world. The symposium's program also featured a series of insightful sessions and workshops focused on enhancing the Hajj experience. 'Facilitating the Ritual and Empowering Pilgrims' highlighted Saudi Arabia's strategic approach to improving pilgrimage services, while another session explored the religious and practical dimensions of a pilgrim's ability to perform Hajj. Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, the deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, delivered a keynote address on enhancing service quality and leveraging capabilities to care for pilgrims. The symposium also included two specialized workshops: one focused on health services, and the other on media and awareness to support and inform pilgrims.
