Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia’s health, organizational, service, logistical and security authorities have been instrumental in ensuring that performing Hajj and Umrah is successful.
In a visit to the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, he met with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, delegates, representatives and consuls of OIC member states and its subsidiary institutions.
Discussions centered on the efforts and arrangements made by the Kingdom for this year's Hajj. The minister briefed them on the initiatives and procedures taken to provide the best conditions for pilgrims to perform their rituals comfortably.
The minister said that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives, with the aim of raising the level of services provided to pilgrims, and enriching their experience.
Among the major projects aimed at serving pilgrims, he mentioned the expansion of the Grand Holy Mosque, the largest construction in history, at a cost of over SAR200 billion, and establishing Al-Haramain High Speed Railway, which reduced the distance between Makkah and Madinah to about two hours, thus improving pilgrims’ travel and movement, at an estimated cost of SAR60 billion.
He also mentioned the development of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, at a cost of over SAR64 billion, and the development of historical mosques and Islamic archaeological sites, with the aim of creating a rich experience for pilgrims.
Taha expressed appreciation and gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi government, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and all state sectors for their efforts to facilitate the procedures required of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
