Browsing: Pilgrims

Makkah, May 22, 2026, SPA — Kidana Development Company, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has transformed previously underutilized areas within the holy sites into fully serviced accommodation zones, significantly expanding lodging capacity for pilgrims. The initiatives increased the capacity of developed sites to approximately 209,000 pilgrims over three consecutive Hajj seasons, while adding annual accommodation capacity for up to 70,000 pilgrims. The projects form part of ongoing efforts to enrich the pilgrim experience and enhance services within the holy sites. The development initiatives focused on maximizing th

Makkah, May 19, 2026, SPA — The healthcare system has provided more than 121,626 health services to pilgrims since the start of the 1447 AH Hajj season through the first day of Dhul-Hijjah. The efforts aim to safeguard pilgrims’ health and help them perform their rituals with ease, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry of Health stated that health centers and urgent care facilities served 27,019 beneficiaries, while emergency departments handled 14,610 cases and outpatient clinics received 1,711 visitors. The ministry added

AI technologies and enhanced systems improve pilgrims’ safety and spiritual experience in the world’s largest religious gathering JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates preparations for the Hajj 1447H season, the Kingdom continues to enhance its readiness to receive millions of pilgrims through a comprehensive system that combines advanced organization, modern technologies, and exceptional services, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Under the directives of the Kingdom’s wise leadership, these efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching

Riyadh 12-5-2026 The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a high-level awareness campaign warning pilgrims against falling victim to fraudulent advertisements and “fake” Hajj permits. The Ministry stressed that the only legitimate way to perform the pilgrimage is by securing a permit through official, government-sanctioned channels. In its statement, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah highlighted that unofficial brokers often promote illegal visas that lead to severe legal consequences, including deportation or bans. To protect the rights of pilgrims, the Ministry reaffirmed that the official Hajj visa is the

RIYADH, April 30, 2026 — The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has underscored that Hajj permits are a vital guarantee for achieving a smooth flow of movement within the Holy Sites. These permits are essential for enabling pilgrims to perform their religious duties with ease and comfort. According to the Ministry, the permitting system ensures a fair and orderly distribution of pilgrims across designated camps and locations, preventing overcrowding and maintaining balance amid the massive influx. Compliance with these regulations reflects a high level of civic responsibility that enhances the safety and security of all participant

Madinah, May 01, 2026, SPA — The General Directorate of Passports at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah received the first flights of pilgrims from the Republic of the Philippines arriving to perform Hajj for the year 1447 AH and completed their procedures smoothly and with ease. The directorate affirmed its readiness to receive pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season and facilitate their procedures by harnessing all its capabilities, including supporting its platforms at international air, land, and sea ports with the latest technical devices operated by qualified personnel who speak pilgrims’ languag

Jakarta, April 28, 2026, SPA — The Hajj journey no longer begins upon arrival in Saudi Arabia; it now starts thousands of kilometers away, at departure airports, where the experience is reshaped into one that is calmer, smoother, and more reassuring. In Indonesia, the Makkah Route Initiative has long embodied this concept, offering a distinct experience in which travel procedures are completed before departure rather than upon arrival. The initiative first took shape in 2017, when it was implemented in Indonesia as one of the earliest participating countries. It is part of the Ministry of Interior’s initiatives, carried out under t

Jakarta, April 22, 2026, SPA — The first flight carrying beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative departed today from Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, for Saudi Arabia via the initiative lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, bound for Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from beneficiary countries by receiving them and completing their procedures in their own countries with ease. The process begins with biometric data collection and electronic issuance of Hajj visas, followed by passport procedures at the airport of departure after ver

Jeddah, February 2, 2026, SPA — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia received 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers from abroad in 2025, achieving a satisfaction rate exceeding 90% for the services provided, according to the National Center for Performance Measurement of Public Entities (Adaa). The record figures reflect the rapid development of the Kingdom’s services for pilgrims and Umrah performers in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, Adaa said. The Pilgrim Experience Program – one of the programs to actualize Saudi Vision 2030 – stated that these improvements covered both the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The program also