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Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj: Full Return of Pilgrim Numbers to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj: Full Return of Pilgrim Numbers to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat affirmed that the ministry has used the same process as before the coronavirus pandemic to decide how many pilgrims will be allowed from each country.

The goal is to bring back the number of pilgrims to what it was before the pandemic. He also stressed that this season is special and that all the necessary services are ready at the holy sites.

Mashat, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, confirmed the existence of precautionary plans to handle any health or organizational emergencies that might occur this Hajj season.

These plans are a part of Saudi Arabia’s ability to manage crowds and handle important information.

The deputy minister also disclosed that relevant authorities in the Kingdom have received many requests to participate in the “Makkah Route Initiative,” and these requests are currently under review by the Interior Ministry.

Regarding company classification, Mashat stated that this year, the categorization of service providers will be based on customer satisfaction using evaluation forms that have been developed on one of the important post-Hajj platforms.

He pointed out that opportunities have been given to several leading hospitality companies to offer their competitive services.

Mashat emphasized that companies that fall short will be held accountable, and that there are mechanisms in place to compensate pilgrims for any shortcomings they may experience.

The deputy minister asserted that this year’s Hajj season is different.

Early readiness was ensured for all services, as well as integration, coordination, and harmony among all the plans of the participating entities in the Hajj process.

According to Mashat, there is significant collaboration between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and all relevant authorities, working together to develop a coordinated working plan through the bureau of operational follow-up and the Central Hajj Committee.

The Committee is responsible for continuous monitoring of all Hajj-related operational activities.

Mashat clarified that early preparation is a crucial part of the organization process, in line with the Ministry of Hajj's strategy. This was evident in the various services offered to both domestic and international pilgrims.

Domestic pilgrims had access to all packages through a local platform, while international pilgrims from Europe, America, Australia, and Canada were able to access the “Nusuk Hajj” platform online in advance.

Mashat also described the Nusuk Hajj platform as one of the most important programs aimed at pilgrims from Europe, America, and Australia. Launched several months ago, the platform has facilitated the issuance of over 20,000 visas for prospect pilgrims.

In a conversation about what sets apart the Hajj season 2023 from previous years, Mashat emphasized a remarkable highlight: the triumphant comeback of pilgrim numbers to their pre-pandemic levels.

While the deputy minister did not directly disclose the exact number, statistics from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) estimate that the number of pilgrims in the year 2019 exceeded 2.4 million.

At that time, the number of domestic pilgrims was approximately 634,000, including around 211,000 Saudi pilgrims and about 423,000 residents of the Kingdom with valid permits.

Regarding the Makkah Route Initiative and its significance, Mashat said: “We have received numerous requests from several countries to join the initiative, and the specialized committee, led by the Ministry of Interior, is thoroughly studying all of these requests.”

Mashat also discussed epidemics and how to deal with them.

“With the end of the (coronavirus) pandemic, there are proactive and preventive precautionary plans in place to handle any health or organizational emergencies that may arise during this season,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Mashat stressed that Saudi Arabia’s extensive experience has led to the creation of exceptional crowd management models.

The Kingdom has the ability to tackle any scenario, making its approach unparalleled worldwide.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.