الوزراء في المؤتمر الصحفي الحكومي: المملكة تسخّر كامل طاقاتها لخدمة الحجاج

At the beginning of the government press conference held today in Riyadh, the Ministers of Hajj and Umrah, Transport and Logistics Services, Health, and Media reviewed the Kingdom's key preparations for the Hajj season of 1446 AH, confirming that serving the guests of Allah represents an honor passed down through generations in the Kingdom, reflecting the leadership's commitment to harnessing all resources for the comfort and safety of pilgrims, in line with the objectives of the ⁧‫Saudi Vision 2030‬⁩.

Al-Rabiah to "Okaz": Distribution of camps and crowd management are subject to precise standards that ensure smoothness and safety

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah stated in a special statement to "Okaz" that the mechanism for allocating the locations of pilgrims' camps in the holy sites is closely linked to crowd management plans, ensuring smooth movement and preventing overlap of paths among pilgrims, noting that the ministry relies on precise standards in this regard, in coordination with relevant authorities.

Al-Rabiah explained that the distribution of camps is based on the arrival locations of the pilgrims, as those coming from the north of Mina are allocated sites in the north of Arafat, and the same applies to those coming from the south, to ensure organized paths and ease of movement between the holy sites.

He added: The ministry takes into account the religious aspects related to the movement of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah, then to Mina, as opinions vary among pilgrims and countries regarding the timing of movement and duration of stay, with some passing through quickly, some preferring to settle, and others wishing to stay until midnight or even dawn. This is considered when arranging their locations, placing those who pass quickly at the front to avoid obstructing the movement of others.

He pointed out that the crowd management plan includes a comprehensive study of the capacity of roads and facilities in the holy sites, ensuring the safety of pilgrims' movement during peak hours, while taking into account weather conditions, especially during times of high temperatures, to maintain the health and comfort of the pilgrims.

Al-Rabiah concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of pilgrims adhering to all instructions related to crowd management to ensure their safe return to their homelands, stressing that all relevant authorities are working in an integrated manner to ensure a safe and smooth Hajj experience.

Minister of Hajj: 1.07 million pilgrims so far... and digital transformation has contributed to facilitating the performance of rituals

During the conference, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said: "The Kingdom, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his trustworthy Crown Prince, is honored to serve the guests of Allah, and the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques embodies the spirit reflected in all citizens working with dedication and honor to serve the pilgrims."

Al-Rabiah added: "We have welcomed over one million and seventy thousand pilgrims so far, and we began preparations for the Hajj season of 1446 AH immediately after the end of last year's Hajj, as part of our efforts to enhance services and ensure a safe and smooth Hajj."

He explained that "the Hajj Projects Office was established and is managed by the Guests of Allah Service Program, which is one of the executive programs for Saudi Vision 2030." He noted that the digital transformation in Hajj has contributed to a qualitative leap that facilitated the performance of rituals.

Al-Rabiah continued: A total of 1.4 million "Nusk" cards have been issued, which contain the pilgrims' data and facilitate their movements, and he announced the addition of more than 30 new services this year through the "Nusk" application.

He pointed out that there is continuous inspection to achieve the highest quality standards for the services provided to pilgrims, and that the "No Hajj Without a Permit" campaign aims to protect them from organizational and health risks.

Minister of Transport: Drones and cooled roads to serve pilgrims... and the train in the holy sites transports 72,000 pilgrims per hour

Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser confirmed the ministry's commitment to expanding the use of modern technologies to facilitate the pilgrims' experience, pointing out the connection of the Kingdom's land ports with a network of safe roads equipped with safety measures.

Al-Jasser explained that a single train in the holy sites carries 3,000 pilgrims, with a capacity of up to 72,000 passengers per hour, in addition to providing more than two million seats on the Haramain train this year, an increase of 400,000 seats from last year.

He noted the use of drones to monitor the movement of pilgrims and inspect the roads, and announced an expansion in the use of rubberized roads by 30%, as well as the expansion of cooled road technology that reduces temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius, to provide a more comfortable environment for pilgrims.

He indicated that the ministry expects around 5,000 pilgrims to arrive from the Kingdom's ports during the season.

Minister of Health: 140 surgical operations and 65 cardiac catheterizations... and no epidemic cases so far

Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said: "Every year we write a distinctive chapter in the Hajj season, and we are keen to implement the necessary health requirements to protect the pilgrims, and we appreciate the commitment of countries to apply health measures."

Al-Jalajel explained that the ministry has provided more than 50,000 health services through 14 border crossings, as well as 11 air evacuation aircraft and 900 ambulances, and established 71 first aid points in the holy sites.

He pointed out that the ministry has increased bed capacity by 60% compared to last year, and has performed 140 surgical operations and 65 cardiac catheterizations for the pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah, while confirming that "no epidemic cases have been reported among the pilgrims so far."

Minister of Media: Campaigns in 50 languages... and hosting global media to convey the message of Hajj

Media Minister Salman Al-Dosari confirmed that serving the guests of Allah is an honor that Saudis compete for from generation to generation, from the leadership to the citizens, and that Saudi Vision 2030 has made serving the pilgrim and Umrah performer a central goal for which the efforts of all entities are integrated.

He explained that the Supreme Hajj Committee, chaired by the Minister of Interior, supervises the system with professionalism and precision, ensuring the quality and efficiency of the services provided.

Al-Dosari said: "We launched the campaign 'No Hajj Without a Permit' to protect the pilgrims, and we allocated awareness campaigns in 50 global languages to address negative individual behaviors that do not represent the guests of Allah."

He also announced that the Ministry of Media is hosting media outlets from more than 25 countries to convey the message of Hajj and the spirit of Islam and peace to various parts of the world, emphasizing that the true image of Hajj should remain pristine, reflecting the spirituality of the ritual and the cooperation of Muslims under the umbrella of Saudi organization.

Al-Dosari added that the ministry has provided more than 10,000 free Wi-Fi points in the holy sites, enabling pilgrims to stay in constant contact with their families.

He concluded by saying: "This year, we have harnessed artificial intelligence to manage crowds and facilitate the smooth flow of pilgrims, as part of a plan supported by field teams and digital systems that analyze data and make decisions in real-time."