RIYADH: The number of pilgrims who have arrived in the Kingdom since the start of the current Hajj season has reached 1,249,951, according to statistics issued by Saudi General Directorate of Passports.
Most pilgrims — 1,169,204 — came to the Kingdom by air, while 67,198 entered by land and 13,549 arrived by sea, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Developing Hajj and Umrah organizations and services in the Kingdom is among the top priorities of the Saudi government.
The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims, and provide them with excellent services and an outstanding experience.
Last year, more than 1.75 million pilgrims from abroad performed Hajj, according to figures from the passport department.
Meanwhile, the head of Turkey’s Hajj Mission, Mohamed Zaid Ouzel, has hailed developments in Makkah and Madinah and in the Two Holy Mosques, in addition to the high-quality services being provided for pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals.
He said that the Kingdom has focused its attention on serving pilgrims and providing a high standard of security and health services.
Razan is a geotourism gem carved by time’s patient hands
In antiquity Razan sustained life in arid environment
Strategic landmark, vital in ancient Yemeni Hajj Road
Updated 6 min 21 sec ago
Arab News
AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom’s west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story.
This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water and time, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.
The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.
The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion.
Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
In the quiet majesty of Razan, the past is preserved. (SPA)
Nature’s infrastructure
But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins.
These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.
This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.
Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.
As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites such as Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.
