Minister of Hajj and Umrah Meets Several Officials and Heads of Hajj Affairs Offices

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, met today in Jeddah Governorate with 78 officials, including ministers and heads of Hajj affairs offices from various Islamic countries and nations with Muslim communities. The meeting took place during the semi-annual meeting for heads of Hajj affairs offices, held on the sidelines of the 50th edition of the Grand Hajj Symposium. 

During the meeting, the Minister expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister—may Allah protect them—for the direct support, care, and attention dedicated to the Hajj service ecosystem. This support has enabled the mobilization of human, technological, and organizational resources to serve the Guests of Allah, ensuring they perform their rituals in safety, ease, and tranquility. 

He praised the cooperation of the heads of Hajj affairs offices and their compliance with rules and regulations, emphasizing that early preparation and systematic planning since the end of the previous season have positively impacted the readiness of the Hajj ecosystem and the quality of services provided. He noted that early workflow management and disciplined execution are among the most critical factors for a successful Hajj season. 

The Minister stressed the importance of continued joint efforts to combat fraudulent campaigns and strictly prohibit any unauthorized individuals from entering the missions' camps or hotels. He asserted that heads of Hajj affairs offices hold the direct responsibility for enforcing this compliance to safeguard pilgrim safety and ensure the structured delivery of services. 

He noted that Makkah and the Holy Sites are experiencing high temperatures this year, requiring heightened care for pilgrim safety. He emphasized the vital importance of pilgrims remaining inside their camps at the Arafat site during peak hours—from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM—and avoiding walking or outdoor gatherings for their own safety, adding that intensive field monitoring as well as security and operational oversight will be deployed to ensure compliance. 

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the importance of performing prayers in mosques near the pilgrims' accommodations in Makkah during peak hours, rather than heading to the Grand Mosque at those times, to protect them from exhaustion, heat, and crowding. He indicated that Hajj companies have been directed to provide all necessary provisions inside the camps, including amenities, sound systems, and screens broadcasting the Arafat Day sermon. He called on Hajj affairs offices to dispatch their field teams early to verify the readiness of these services. 

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah also emphasized that adhering to the approved transportation and crowd management (Tafweej) plans is an essential factor for the season's success. He warned that random, disorganized mass walking inside the Holy Sites poses a direct risk to pilgrim safety and disrupts the flow of movement, particularly when moving on foot from Arafat to Muzdalifah. 

He reiterated the need for absolute commitment to the approved Tafweej schedules for the stoning of the Jamarat and the scheduled departure times from Arafat to Muzdalifah, given their direct impact on pilgrim safety and traffic fluidity within the Holy Sites. 

Additionally, he stressed the necessity of utilizing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hajj Meat (Adahi) via the electronic portal and approved locations inside Makkah to safeguard pilgrims and prevent them from falling victim to exploitation or unauthorized sites. He underscored the importance of full cooperation with licensed medical service providers, adherence to health guidelines, close monitoring of the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, and ensuring the availability of medications alongside the prevention of heat exhaustion and infectious diseases, while encouraging the adoption of Islamic legal concessions (Rukhas) when necessary to preserve the safety of the Guests of Allah. 

The Minister pointed out the importance of downloading and activating the "Nusuk" application for all pilgrims who own smartphones, urging them to benefit from its services provided in over 11 languages. He explained that the application offers more than 100 services for pilgrims and is currently used by over 51 million users worldwide, facilitating the pilgrim’s journey and organizing their access to services. 

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the Ministry and all personnel in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem stand fully prepared to resolve any challenges or observations during the season. He called for a wider dissemination of the unified number (1966) among pilgrims, highlighting its multilingual support and services that enable pilgrims to communicate, request assistance, and access services with ease. 

The Minister concluded the meeting by emphasizing that the success of the Hajj season is a shared responsibility between all entities and Hajj affairs offices, and that what unites everyone is the honor of serving the Guests of Allah, working for their comfort, safety, and enablement to perform their sacred duty. 

During the meeting, the attendees reviewed the readiness of the Hajj ecosystem for the Hajj season of 1447 AH, exploring several organizational and operational initiatives and services provided to the Guests of Allah. They also discussed ways to enhance coordination and integration with Hajj missions to elevate the services provided to pilgrims. This meeting is part of the periodic sessions held by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with Hajj affairs offices to raise the level of readiness, streamline coordination, and foster continuous communication with Hajj missions worldwide.