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OIC Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Two Mln Pilgrims from 57 Islamic Countries

Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
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OIC Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Two Mln Pilgrims from 57 Islamic Countries

Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stated that officials in Islamic countries have confirmed the restoration of their share of this year’s Hajj season as it was before the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Taha revealed that the upcoming Hajj season will witness the participation of an impressive number of foreign pilgrims, totaling two million pilgrims hailing from 57 diverse Islamic nations.

Taha emphasized that Saudi Arabia is exerting tremendous efforts in preparation for accommodating this year’s pilgrims.

The OIC chief pointed out that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is working to strike the necessary balance between the number of pilgrims and the capacity of the holy sites.

This is being achieved through significant development projects that are underway as part of a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at constructing an infrastructure capable of hosting a larger number of pilgrims.

Regarding the Makkah Route initiative, Taha described it as a pioneering program within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The initiative is making significant efforts to benefit the approximately six countries involved by streamlining the necessary procedures for Hajj completion. This includes issuing e-visas and expediting passport procedures at the departure lounge of the pilgrims’ home country airport.

Taha stated that Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, with approximately 2.5 million pilgrims performing Hajj in 2019.

The preparations and efforts required to receive and facilitate their stay are extensive, noted the OIC chief.

Taha mentioned that Saudi Arabia, following the improvement in the pandemic situation, has lifted most of the restrictions associated with the pandemic.

The Kingdom announced that it will allow the performance of the Hajj pilgrimage this year without any limitations on the number of pilgrims or their ages.

After three years of significantly reducing the number of pilgrims due to the spread of the coronavirus, the pilgrim numbers will return to their pre-pandemic levels.

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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.