Saudi Arabia Announces Successful Hajj Season This Year
Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, announced on Sunday the successful completion of this year’s Hajj in terms of security, health, and services. He emphasized that the country takes pride in serving the holy sites and their visitors and immediately begins preparations for the next season.
In his speech, the Deputy Governor commended the efforts of security and health sectors, volunteers, and everyone involved, who “worked diligently and sincerely to ensure the success of this great ritual,” while also thanking the pilgrims, “who were excellent partners in achieving this success by adhering to regulations and instructions.”
The expedited pilgrims completed their rituals just before sunset on Sunday, the twelfth of Dhu al-Hijjah, by performing the stoning of the devils and the farewell circumambulation, amidst a comprehensive system of services and advanced technologies that ensured their safety and peace of mind, praying to God for the acceptance of their pilgrimage.
M Mina bid farewell to the pilgrims’ processions after they concluded their rites and completed the fifth pillar of Islam, while those who chose not to rush departed on Monday, having stayed until the last moment on its sacred grounds.
The pilgrims performed the farewell circumambulation, signaling the end of their rituals, which saw an overwhelming amount of movement at the Grand Mosque, exceeding its operational capacity of 107,000 circumambulators per hour, according to a comprehensive operational plan. Relevant authorities mobilized all resources to facilitate the movement of expedited pilgrims and ensure smooth transitions within the sanctuary.
The capacity for the sa’i between Safa and Marwah reached about 118,000 individuals per hour, with field transportation services provided, including 400 electric carts and around 10,000 manual carts, along with 210 smart gates to manage entry and exit. Additionally, 12 dedicated carts were prepared for the completion of the rituals, and four locations were established for storing luggage to facilitate pilgrims’ movements. Two hospitals were provided in the sacred areas, along with nearly 50 field guidance points among foot teams assisting the guests of God.
Meanwhile, Madinah welcomed the initial groups of expedited pilgrims for visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, praying within it, and receiving the blessing of greeting the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) and his companions (may God be pleased with them), as well as touring various mosques and Islamic sites closely tied to the prophetic narrative.
Data from the Ministry of Hajj indicated that the number of oversight tours conducted so far exceeded 62,000 field inspections of pilgrims’ accommodations, camps, and central kitchens, in addition to operational and administrative facilities for the campaigns and service-providing companies. This proactive approach seeks to identify any shortcomings and address them immediately, contributing to raising compliance rates to 97%, with legal actions taken against non-compliant entities.
