Efforts of Saudi Arabia in serving Hajj Pilgrims

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since the reign of The Founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, until the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has given the utmost attention and care to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites to accommodate the increasing numbers of the Hajj pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors.

The Kingdom has made great efforts to build and develop the Two Holy Mosques and provide the finest modern services to the Hajj Pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors. Serving the Two Holy Mosques is one of the most important priorities of the Kingdom's leadership, which is honored by the Kings of the Kingdom.
 
The Kingdom, under the guidance of the wise leadership, has continued to develop and expand the Two Holy Mosques to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of Hajj pilgrims and Umrah performers. These expansions include increasing the area of ​​the Two Holy Mosques, developing the infrastructure and providing modern facilities, which ensures the comfort and safety of pilgrims. The major expansion project of the Two Holy Mosques is one of the most prominent achievements made by the Kingdom, which facilitates the movement of pilgrims and ensures their comfort.
 
Through the Kingdom's Vision 2030, announced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, a number of programs have been designed to serve the pilgrims, including the Hajj Guests program, to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers, which aims to improve the quality of Hajj, Umrah and visiting experiences, and make them accessible to the largest possible number of Muslims by improving and enhancing the system of services provided to visitors of the two holy mosques.
 
This vision has also adopted a number of initiatives that will provide the best services to Hajj pilgrims and Umrah performers with modern technology and digital services, through smartphone applications, which enable pilgrims to obtain accurate and immediate information about the rituals and available services, starting from issuing Hajj and Umrah visas electronically to developing an electronic reservation system to facilitate Hajj and Umrah procedures.
The Kingdom also pays great attention to ensuring the safety of pilgrims by providing high-quality security and health services. The hospitals and health centers are equipped with the latest equipment and trained medical teams to deal with any emergency cases, and security teams are deployed to secure pilgrims and ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the rituals.
 
For its part, the Secretariat of the Holy Capital prepared its Hajj plan for this year 1445H, which is being implemented by 11,800 employees and workers, as it equipped 28 municipal service centers in the holy sites, geographically distributed to cover the entire holy sites area, operating 24 hours a day and equipped with all the necessary manpower and logistical support. The Secretariat also allocated central teams to deal with emergency situations. in addition to preparing many teams and committees to monitor markets, food stores and restaurants, and follow up on cleanliness and environmental sanitation.
 
On the health side, the Ministry of Health established 16 hospitals and 123 health centers, in addition to 5 seasonal health centers in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the holy sites, supported by Ajyad Emergency Hospital, Al-Haram Hospital, and 3 health centers in the corridors of the Holy Mosque, as well as two health centers near the central area of ​​the Holy Mosque. On the emergency side, 155 highly equipped ambulances were prepared, in addition to 33 supporting ambulance teams in the Namirah Mosque, Jabal Al-Rahmah in Arafat, and the Jamarat facility in Mina, all of which operate around the clock to serve the Hajj pilgrims.
 
The Supreme Body for the Control of Pilgrimage Transport has also arranged 3,500 buses to transport the Hajj pilgrims, as it is expected to operate 12 million trips during the Hajj season to and from the Grand Mosque by shuttle transport through nine stations surrounding the Grand Mosque, for which 12 routes have been designated to serve pilgrims in moving during the days of Tashreeq between Mina and the Grand Mosque.
 
As for the General Authority for Food and Drug, it has prepared a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety and freshness of pilgrims' food, medicines and medical products during this Hajj season.
 
For its part, the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, launched the (Humanitarians) initiative as part of the current Hajj season initiatives to enrich the experience of the hajj pilgrims and humanize the services provided to them, such as caring for the sick, elderly and people of determination among the pilgrims of the Grand Mosque and providing a suitable worship environment for them.
 
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has also launched a number of initiatives to serve the guests of God, the most important of which is the digital identity service for those coming to the Kingdom with a Hajj visa for the year 1445H as part of government efforts to enable digital transformation and harness technology to serve humanity in accordance with the goals of (Kingdom’s Vision 2030).
 
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has issued an order to host 2,300 male and female pilgrims from more than 88 countries, including 1,000 pilgrims from the families of Palestinian martyrs, prisoners and wounded, and 22 pilgrims from the families of Siamese twins who were separated in the Kingdom, as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah. In conclusion, the history of serving the Haj and Umrah pilgrims shows the great efforts made by the Kingdom to provide the best services to the guests of the Almighty through major projects and modern developments, in order to improve the experience of pilgrims and Umrah performers and ensure their comfort and safety.
 
We ask the Almighty Allah to reward the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his faithful Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, with the best rewards and to perpetuate the blessing of security and safety so that the Kingdom remains a beacon for serving Islam and Muslims.
 
 
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka
Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani