MAKKAH: Journalists and media representatives from several countries toured key Hajj facilities and holy sites in Makkah on Monday as Saudi authorities continued preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage season.
The two-day media tour, organized by the General Authority for Media Regulation in cooperation with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, brought together local and international media delegations covering this year’s Hajj season.
The initiative aims to familiarize journalists with projects and services supporting millions of pilgrims expected to arrive in the Kingdom in the coming weeks.
The first day of the tour began at the Makkah Chamber before delegations visited several sites linked to Hajj operations and pilgrim services across Al-Mashair, the holy sites area that includes Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
The first stop was the Adahi project, launched by the Saudi government to organize sacrificial rituals during Hajj and facilitate the distribution of meat to beneficiaries inside and outside the Kingdom.
The project enables pilgrims and Muslims around the world to arrange sacrifices through online services and digital payment systems.
Media representatives later visited Jabal Al-Rahma and several locations across Arafat before heading to Muzdalifah as part of the field tour across the holy sites.
Throughout the visit, journalists filmed reports, conducted interviews and documented preparations taking place across Makkah ahead of Hajj.
The delegation was introduced to efforts focused on improving pilgrim movement, transportation and services across the holy sites ahead of the pilgrimage season.
Ahmed Rassam from the Maldives Pilgrimage Affairs Office told Arab News that the tour had been well organized and offered media delegates a closer look at preparations ahead of Hajj.
“Everything is going very smoothly, and we are excited to visit all these sites,” he said. “We will be featuring these programs to convey the message to pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia next week.”
Rassam added that delegates were also looking forward to the remaining visits scheduled as part of the two-day program.
“It is impressive to see the level of development and preparations being carried out by Saudi Arabia ahead of Hajj,” M. Umar Butt, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, told Arab News.
“Media representatives from different countries are here observing the advancements, digitization and facilities being introduced for pilgrims. The arrangements and hospitality have been wonderful, and we are thankful to the Kingdom for organizing such visits.”
The first-day tour concluded at the Cultural Front at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, where delegations explored exhibitions and museum displays that highlighted the city’s cultural and historical legacy.
Ragheb Irqasous from the General Authority for Media Regulation welcomed participating journalists during the tour.
“We welcome everyone and hope they will share their experience and convey the message to audiences around the world,” he told Arab News.
On the second day of the program, journalists planned to visit the Haramain Architecture Exhibition, the Kaaba Kiswah Factory, the International Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization and the Clock Tower Museum, offering international media representatives a closer look at Makkah’s historical, cultural and religious heritage alongside the Kingdom’s modern developments linked to Hajj.
The tour forms part of wider efforts to support local and international media coverage during Hajj by offering journalists direct access to facilities, projects and historical sites connected to the pilgrimage.
