Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Prince Khalid al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Central Haj Committee, said that the number of pilgrims who arrived in the Kingdom amounted to more than 1.64 million.
He stressed that his country receives pilgrims from all over the world without any discrimination.
“The Saudi government has trained more than 350,000 workers from different sectors to serve pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season,” Faisal noted.
He said more than 329,000 violators, who didn’t get Hajj permissions, have been returned to their homelands along with 114 violating vehicles. Also, 15 persons were arrested for illegally transferring pilgrims and 181 shell offices were closed.
The leadership’s directives are clear and call for exerting utmost efforts to ensure the pilgrims’ content and enable them to perform their rituals in a comfortable, safe and reassuring environment, the Prince stressed during a press conference following his tour in the holy sites.
“We are lucky to work under the supervision of the Royal Commission in Makkah and the holy sites, under the leadership of Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
Faisal explained that the Commission has assumed its responsibilities and has been carefully studying its steps and working on their implementation as soon as possible.
In response to a question on the obstacles put by Qatar’s government on its citizens who are wishing to perform Hajj, Faisal said the Kingdom is only responsible for its actions.
Saudi Arabia has opened its doors and concerned officials have put all their efforts to receive pilgrims from all around the world.
“We serve them equitably, and we welcome them in the holy sites,” he said, stressing that Saudi Arabia doesn’t take part in the negative rhetoric raised by its rivals.”
He explained that the Kingdom is going through a “transition and transformation phase for the better.”
Faisal also handed over the new Kiswah, the black cloth that covers the Kaaba, to Saleh bin Zain al-Abidin al-Shaibi, the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, in the presence of Head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Sudais.
