عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line Shuttles Hajj Pilgrims Safely

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, Asharq Al-Awsat
Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line Shuttles Hajj Pilgrims Safely

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, Asharq Al-Awsat
Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, Asharq Al-Awsat

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line, with its nine stations, is a part of a wide array of Saudi services offered to Hajj pilgrims to ensure comfort while performing pilgrimage rituals.

The train, activated during Hajj season only, is meant to accommodate up to 350,000 pilgrims and conduct over 1,000 trips over the course of seven days. It is worth mentioning that the station shuttles more than 72,000 pilgrims per hour.

The station is home to 15 operable trains with 204 cabins in total along a stretch of 300 meters. Each compartment accommodates up to 300 pilgrims.

Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line is used as an exclusive shuttle train for pilgrims between holy sites in Mecca, Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina to reduce congestion of buses and cars during the Hajj season.

For his part, Makkah Region Development Authority spokesman Engineer Jalal Kaaki said that the installed electronic program, running for the second year, has been successful.

E-guidance works as a mechanism for regulating distribution of passenger flow and the speed of booking, and prevents selling tickets outside the target group.

He explained that e-tickets cover all train stations with stops at holy places.

Kaaki said that the train journey extends from Mount Arafat to Mina, passing through Muzdalifah.

The train links south-east Arafat to south-west Mina and passes through Muzdalifah, with each station about 20 kilometers apart.

Each 12 car trains can accommodate up to 3,200 passengers at a time, and have begun operating in November 2010.

The project includes nine high ground stations with a length of 300 meters per station. The train platforms are reached by means of ramps, elevators, ordinary and electric ladders, and automatic gates separating the train, loading areas and waiting areas.

In peak periods the line operates with a special "group shuttle" schedule with three departure stations and three arrival stations distributed evenly in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. At each holy site on the line there are three stations.

The train also makes a connection to the Jamarat Bridge facility. The Jamarat Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Mina used by Muslims during the Hajj ritual Stoning of the Devil.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
TT
TT

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.