Saudi Arabia Declares Hajj 2023 a Success

Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah on June 30, 2023 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah on June 30, 2023 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Declares Hajj 2023 a Success

Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah on June 30, 2023 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah on June 30, 2023 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)

Saud Arabia announced on Friday the success of its plans in organizing the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage.

It said no diseases or health risks were reported at the pilgrimage, which witnessed the return of pilgrims to pre-pandemic numbers.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud met with senior ministry, military and security officials in the holy city of Makkah.

He stressed that the cohesion between the military and security sectors had greatly helped in ensuring the success of the security and organizational plans in place for the Hajj.

He underscored the importance of advanced technologies in assisting the security forces in performing their duties, highlighting the use of AI in enriching the experience.

Minister of Health Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel declared the success of the health plans for the Hajj.

In a statement, he underlined the great support accorded to the Hajj and health sector by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He praised the role played by the Supreme Hajj Committee, chaired by Prince Abdulaziz, in overcoming all health challenges. He expressed his gratitude to the Interior Ministry for its effective role in applying health plans.

Moreover, he hailed the close follow up of Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of the Makkah region.

Al-Jalajel said over 36,000 health sector employees, backed by 7,600 volunteers, were deployed at the holy sites during the Hajj.

Over 400,000 pilgrims received health services during the pilgrimage, he went on to say. Over 50 open-heart surgeries were performed, over 1,600 dialysis sessions were held and over 4,000 pilgrims received virtual services from the virtual hospital.

Moreover, over 8,000 cases of heat stroke were treated. He noted that the awareness campaigns that were held throughout the Hajj helped in limiting the number of heat stroke cases.



Saudi Arabia Reiterates Call on Countries to Join Two-State Solution Global Coalition

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Call on Countries to Join Two-State Solution Global Coalition

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its call on countries to join the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was launched by the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee and led by the Kingdom in collaboration with the European Union and Norway.

The cabinet underscored its solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in overcoming the humanitarian impact of the Israeli war against them.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet hailed the outcome of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit that was held in Riyadh on Monday, which it said will help in strengthening joint action and continuing cooperation with the international community to stop the war on the Gaza Strip to achieve security and stability in the region.

It welcomed the document of the tripartite mechanism to support Palestine signed between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League and African Union Commission.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on the letters Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received from Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani.

He also briefed them on his telephone talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and US President-elect Donald Trump, during which he highlighted the Kingdom's keenness to strengthening historical and strategic relations between their countries.

The cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's contributions and initiatives aimed at boosting the effectiveness and speed of international multilateral action in addressing current and future challenges. These efforts are intended to respond to urgent global issues while promoting development and prosperity and strengthening common cultural and social ties.

The cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's emphasis, at recent international meetings, on boosting cooperation with world countries, strengthening coordination in various fields, and endeavoring to continue its humanitarian and development assistance to countries and peoples affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Moreover, the cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to fostering cultural communication between diverse cultures worldwide. It expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the "Arab Week at UNESCO" initiative, launched by the Kingdom at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris, France.

The cabinet praised the Crown Prince's support for national talent, which enables them to become leaders in various fields, out of the belief that individuals are the core and foundation of development. One such talent is the Saudi medical team, which was received by Crown Prince Mohammed after having performed the world's first robotic heart transplant.

The cabinet also lauded the outcome of the 10th Biban24 Forum, held in Riyadh; agreements worth SAR35.4 billion were signed to support entrepreneurship in various sectors and to achieve one of the national goals, which is to increase the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the GDP.