Latest news with #TawfiqAl-Rabiah
Leaders
06-07-2025
- Leaders
Pilgrim Experience Program Surpasses Targets with 101% Growth in 2024
The Pilgrim Experience Program, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, released its 2024 annual report, boasting a 101% surge in arrivals compared to 2022, driven by streamlined procedures and cross-sector collaboration. This milestone underscores the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing spiritual journeys while aligning with global tourism goals. The report emphasizes the program's accomplishments and those of its affiliated entities in enhancing services for pilgrims and Umrah performers. The Kingdom strives to provide a rich, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling experience from the planning stage to the safe return home. Record Numbers of Pilgrims In 2024, over 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, surpassing the year's targets significantly. The report highlights that 89 initiatives, implemented with over 40 government entities, achieved an impressive 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transportation, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, stated that the Saudi leadership prioritizes serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030. Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah welcomed more than 13 million visitors in 2024, a significant increase from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction also rose dramatically from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and overall experience. Growth in Volunteer Engagement Volunteer engagement saw substantial growth, with over 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024. This number increased from just 15,000 in 2022, demonstrating a stronger culture of social participation within the community. Internationally, the program conducted 33 overseas visits with public and private partners. These visits addressed logistical challenges, opened new routes, increased seat capacity, and eased travel for pilgrims. The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the dedicated efforts of more than 40 partner organizations. Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index. These rankings reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination for travelers worldwide. Advances in Digital Services The report also highlights significant advances in digital services, particularly the Nusuk platform. This platform now offers over 100 services designed to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements for users. Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, aimed at expediting travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited over 940,000 travelers since its inception. This initiative showcases the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the pilgrim experience. The report concludes by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the unwavering support of the Kingdom's leadership and the collaborative efforts of various government agencies. It reaffirms that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with ongoing innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in alignment with Vision 2030 aspirations. Short link : Post Views: 7
Leaders
28-06-2025
- General
- Leaders
Saudi Hajj Minister Awarded Malaysia's 'Hijra Personality of the Year'
Malaysia has awarded the prestigious Hijra Personality of the Year medal to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Known as the 'Prophet's Hijra Award,' the medal represents a prestigious recognition of Saudi Arabia's outstanding role in offering seamless Hajj and Umrah experience. Saudi Hajj Minister Awarded Malaysia's 'Hijra Personality of the Year' The recognition was part of an official ceremony in Kuala Lumpur celebrating the arrival of the Hijri New Year 1447 AH. Themed 'Building a Civil Nation,' the ceremony was held under the auspicious of King Ibrahim bin Iskandar of Malaysia. The award stands as a testament to the Kingdom's transformative efforts in modernizing Hajj and Umrah services and offering unparalleled experiences for pilgrims worldwide. Saudi Hajj Minister Awarded Malaysia's 'Hijra Personality of the Year' The award is granted annually to two individuals, one Malaysian and one international, who have significant contributions and positive influence on their communities. Related Topics: Hajj Ministry Launches Multilingual Survey to Gauge Pilgrim Satisfaction for 1446 Hajj UNA-OIC Delivers Global Hajj Coverage in Over 50 Languages Blessed Offerings: Souvenirs Reflecting Hajj Experience Short link : Post Views: 7 Related Stories
Saudi Gazette
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Hajj minister reassures safe departure of Iranian pilgrims in call with head of Iran's Hajj Organization
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH— Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah held a phone call with head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Dr. Alireza Bayat on Sunday. During the call, Al-Rabiah reassured Dr. Bayat the safety and smooth implementation of the pilgrims' transfer plan at all stages of their return, from their departure from Makkah and Madinah through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah to the Jadidat Arar border crossing. Dr. Bayat expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the King and the Crown Prince for the care and attention extended to the Iranian pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom. He also appreciated the dedication of the minister and his continuous follow-up to facilitate their procedures and ensure their comfort at all stages of Hajj. The Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry's initiative to ensure safe return of the Iranian pilgrims comes in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and based on the recommendation of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to facilitate all the needs of Iranian pilgrims and ensure the provision of all necessary services until conditions are in place for their safe return to their homeland to join their families. The first group of Iranian pilgrims departed on Sunday, as part of the implementation plan overseen by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and monitored by a dedicated operations room that provided care and services to the pilgrims until the moment of their departure.
Saudi Gazette
09-06-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Al-Rabiah announces early Hajj 1447 preparations; Success of 1446 Hajj Season hailed
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program, held its annual Hajj concluding ceremony at the ministry headquarters in Makkah on Sunday. The event honored the recipients of the Labaytum Award for Excellence in Services to Pilgrims and celebrated the efforts of several pilgrim affairs offices and nonprofit organizations for their outstanding services during the current Hajj season. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced the official handover of the preliminary arrangements document to pilgrim affairs offices in preparation for the 1447 AH Hajj season. This early step aims to enhance readiness and improve pilgrims' experience by enabling early contracts, site allocation, and service integration. Speaking on the occasion, the minister stressed that this year's Hajj season was successful by the grace of Allah, followed by the support and guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the continuous direct supervision of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He noted that the integration of efforts among government agencies, private sector entities, and pilgrim affairs offices played a vital role in delivering a successful and seamless Hajj season. Al-Rabiah noted that the ministry has begun preparations for the next Hajj early by issuing the preliminary arrangements document, which allows pilgrim affairs offices to secure essential services in advance, ensuring operational stability and service quality. He stressed the importance of adhering to health eligibility regulations when registering pilgrims, per the requirements set by the Ministry of Health. The minister also announced that the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition is scheduled for November and invited all local and international partners to take advantage of this global platform to showcase innovations and exchange expertise in order to continuously enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims.
Kuwait Times
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Kuwait Times
Pilgrims urged to stay in tents on Arafat Day
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have asked pilgrims performing the hajj to remain in their tents for several hours during the high point of this week's pilgrimage, citing high temperatures. According to a report in Saudi media, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has requested that pilgrims refrain from leaving their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday. The 'Day of Arafat' traditionally marks the high point of the hajj, when pilgrims scale Mount Arafat on the outskirts of Makkah. There, pilgrims assemble on the 70-m-high hill and its surrounding plain for hours of prayer and Quran recital, staying there until the evening. There is little to no shade on Mount Arafat, leaving pilgrims directly exposed to the harsh desert sun for hours. 'We warn against climbing mountains or high places on the Day of Arafat, as it causes extreme physical exertion and increases the risk of heat exhaustion,' the health ministry said in a separate statement published by Saudi media. Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, gets underway on Wednesday. Officials have beefed up heat mitigation measures hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius. This year, authorities have mobilized 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 sq m, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the hajj minister told AFP last week. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, officials said. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage. Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that 'the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat'. Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for 'the worst-case scenario' after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, 'heat doesn't bother me'. 'I have been working in the fields since I was a child,' he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervor, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. 'As you can see, we're dripping with sweat,' he said, adding: 'The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain.' According to Asiri, of the health ministry, a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilized for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. 'Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year,' Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. 'That's why we are doing all of these measures,' he said. To prevent people from needing hospitalization in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Makkah's holy sites with a focus on 'treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates', said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. 'Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun,' he said. 'You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain,' he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, 'and it's very risky from a health point of view'. Authorities have built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometer pathway leading to Arafat. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there is 'extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) – it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon'. 'We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character.' – AFP
