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Pilgrims from 120 Different Countries to Participate in Hajj 2021

A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Pilgrims from 120 Different Countries to Participate in Hajj 2021

A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

This year's exceptional Hajj season, the second of its kind since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, will see 60,000 pilgrims from 120 different nationalities perform rituals under a host of health preventive measures.

On Monday, the Central Hajj Committee announced that facilities, receptions, transport stations, and service centers present in Makkah are now ready to receive and serve the 60,000 pilgrims selected from a set of 558,000 applicants that filed to take part in Hajj 2021.

Only Saudi Arabia's citizens and residents will be undertaking Hajj this season.

Headed by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Committee also launched the "Shaaer Card" (rites card) to be used by both Hajj pilgrims and workers on holy sites.

The pass is linked to all offered services such as camp gates, hotels, and transportation services. It will also help guide pilgrims who get lost and aid authorities in organizing crowds of pilgrims more accurately.

Concerning transportation services, 3,000 buses will be available to pilgrims. Each bus will move around 20 pilgrims, accompanied by a group leader and a designated guide.

Each group will be briefed on applied preventive health measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

As for accommodation and catering, the utmost safety and security measures will be observed to ensure the health and protection of pilgrims.

Premium pre-prepared meals, guaranteeing the highest food security standards, will be offered to pilgrims during this year's Hajj.

Health authorities have also set up medical facilities to provide necessary health care to pilgrims. Medics will assist and treat pilgrims at the Arafat and the Mina Al-Wadi hospitals and through a mobile infirmary.

Several health centers will also be available to pilgrims.

Field preventive medical teams will implement a comprehensive health plan that includes check-ups and residence visits. This will help complete vital preventive measures in the event of any infectious disease being detected.

Promoting health awareness, education and supervisory campaigns will focus on pilgrims implementing the required preventive measures whether at their accommodations or while traveling.

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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)
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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.