Saudi Arabia Announces Success of Hajj Season

Saudi Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajel declared on Tuesday the success of this year’s Hajj.

He announced the success of health plans for the Hajj, adding no outbreak of disease or other threats to public health were reported despite the significant number of pilgrims and the challenges posed by high temperatures.

Al-Jalajel expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership, and the unwavering support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the close follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The minister highlighted the extensive resources allocated to ensure pilgrim well-being, which included 189 well-equipped hospitals, health centers, and mobile clinics with a combined capacity of over 6,500 beds, over 40,000 medical, technical, administrative staff, and volunteers.

They were supported by more than 370 ambulances, seven air ambulances, and a strong logistics network encompassing 12 laboratories, 60 supply trucks, and three mobile medical warehouses strategically positioned across the holy sites.

Muslim pilgrims arrive to cast stones at pillars in the symbolic stoning of the devil, the last rite of the annual Hajj, in Mina, near the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP)

Al-Jalajel said the ministry served over 390,000 pilgrims. Services included performing more than 28 open-heart surgeries, 720 cardiac catheterizations, and 1,169 dialysis sessions. The Seha Virtual Hospital provided virtual consultations to over 5,800 pilgrims, primarily for heat-related illnesses, enabling prompt intervention and mitigating the potential for a surge in cases.

Al-Jalajel commended the collaborative effort of various healthcare entities. He acknowledged the contributions of the Makkah Health Cluster, the Red Crescent Authority, the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, as well as the valuable support provided by the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO), the Health Volunteer Center, and all other stakeholders in the Kingdom's health sector.

He highlighted the measures implemented by the Supreme Hajj Committee, led by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, which aimed to protect pilgrims from the risks of high temperatures during rituals and address potential health challenges.

He expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Interior's contribution to implementing effective health plans.

The minister extended his gratitude to Makkah Governor and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee Prince Khalid bin Faisal, Deputy Governor and Vice Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, and the Municipality of Makkah for their pivotal role in achieving this success.

He underscored that this accomplishment reflects the seamless collaboration between all government agencies and the early preparations made within the framework of the Pilgrim Experience Program.

Muslim pilgrims cast stones at pillars in the symbolic stoning of the devil, the last rite of the annual Hajj, as it rains in Mina, near the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP)

Al-Jalajel specifically acknowledged the Central Hajj Committee's recommendation for pilgrims to avoid performing rituals during peak temperatures, which significantly contributed to safeguarding their health and minimizing heat stress injuries.

The minister praised the Pilgrim Experience Program for its role in fostering cooperation among Hajj stakeholders and unifying their efforts to create a unique, positive Hajj experience.

He expressed gratitude to healthcare providers from the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and the Ministry of Interior for their expertise in coordinating efforts and delivering healthcare services to pilgrims, and highlighted the seamless integration with other healthcare providers, which ensured prompt medical attention to all pilgrims.

Al-Jalajel further lauded the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among all personnel involved in serving pilgrims. He thanked all healthcare workers, security personnel, and other workers who contributed with dedication and tireless efforts to a successful Hajj season.

Syria's new rulers said on Sunday that US sanctions on Syria were an obstacle to the war-torn country's rapid recovery and urged Washington to lift them during a visit by Syrian officials to Qatar.

"These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries," Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani told reporters after meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as foreign minister.

"We reiterate our calls for the United States to lift these sanctions, which have now become against the Syrian people rather than what they previously were: imposed sanctions on the Assad regime," he said.

Shibani, on his second foreign trip less than a month after former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8, said that Qatar will be a partner in the new phase in Syria.

Doha had not normalized ties with Assad over his government's violent response to 2011 protests and backed the opposition instead.

Shibani, who was joined by Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Head of Intelligence Anas Khattab, met with other senior Qatari officials including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, a Qatari official told Reuters earlier.

Shibani presented the Qataris a clear roadmap for the near future in Syria and steps that would be taken by the new Syrian administration, Al-Khulaifi told reporters after the meeting.

"We are working together to prevent any foreign interference in Syrian affairs," Al-Khulaifi added.

Shibani said the roadmap is meant to "rebuild our country, restore its Arab and foreign relations, enable the Syrian people to obtain their civil and basic rights, and present a government that the Syrian people feel it represents them and all their components."

He is expected to also visit the United Arab Emirates and Jordan this week to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships," according to his account on X.

Shibani embarked on his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.

Saudi Arabia Announces Success of Hajj Season