RIYADH: Preparations for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage have already begun, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Wednesday.
Authorities are getting ready for next year before this year’s Hajj even begins on May 25, with an extensive network of government entities including pilgrim affairs offices and Hajj service providers involved, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Rabiah’s remarks came during a panel discussion held on Wednesday as part of the third edition of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Health and Safety Forum organized by the General Administration of Medical Services at the Ministry of Interior.
The minister explained that preparations for the upcoming Hajj season begin with meetings of the heads of pilgrim affairs offices and companies serving pilgrims, during which a comprehensive roadmap for the following season is developed before the current season ends.
He added that, since last year, the ministry has been working on a detailed plan with specific timelines in coordination with 78 countries to ensure seamless operations and oversee all operational aspects related to the holy sites.
This includes providing accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation, catering, and aviation services for the more than 1.5 million pilgrims expected to attend.
He also noted that regular virtual meetings are held with pilgrim affairs offices to monitor readiness and track implementation of the plan.
Hajj is one of the world’s largest annual pilgrimages, mandatory for all able Muslims, and ensuring a successful journey for all those attending is one of the priorities of Saudi Arabia’s leadership.
The Kingdom has implemented new measures in recent years including the Makkah Route Initiative — which streamlines immigration by allowing travelers to complete visa procedures in their country of departure.
