Preparations of the Saudi authorities concerned with serving pilgrims have been completed as the countdown begins to their arrival on Friday in Mina before heading to Mount Arafat the next day.
Saudi Interior Ministry Security Spokesman Major General Mansour al-Turki stressed that his country will not tolerate ant attempts to thwart Hajj rituals and will not allow anyone to threaten the pilgrims’ security and safety.
Commenting on rumors spread about undermining Saudi Arabia and all the successes it has achieved throughout Hajj seasons, Mansour regretted seeing Muslims who target Hajj in any mean “whether in the attempt to thwart it, threaten the security and safety of pilgrims or downplay efforts made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ government to enable the largest possible number of Muslims to perform this duty with ease, tranquility, security and safety.”
His remarks were made during the first joint press conference with government and service agencies held Thursday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Makkah.
Mansour said during the conference that the Kingdom has been working on developing all what is related to Hajj, including infrastructure and management and operation plans.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Hatim Qadhi announced the successful issuance of more than 1.8 million e-visas without reviewing consulates.
He pointed out that this step is a qualitative leap in facilitating procedures followed by pilgrims to reach the Holy sites.
Asked about the number of Qatari pilgrims who attended Hajj this year, Qadhi said they are few “despite the facilities provided and the possibility of registration through the specific links that are blocked by the Qatari state.”
He also noted the arrival of Qatari pilgrims from other countries.
Qadhi highlighted the success of the Makkah Road initiative, which started in one country and expanded to Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Tunisia.
More than 150,000 pilgrims have arrived as if they were on an internal journey, Qadhi said, adding that the ministry has prepared well for this season with more than 70,000 cadres.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Health Dr. Mohammed al-Abdulaali, for his part, explained that the Ministry participates in this season with 30,000 human cadres.
“It has set up 25 hospitals in Makkah and the holy sites, 356 health centers and 17 emergency centers, in addition to seven mobile clinics and 18 points to provide health service.”
While civil defense spokesman Lt. Col. Mohammed al-Hammadi unveiled a comprehensive plan with a manpower exceeding 17,000 civil defense elements and 3,000 mechanisms to protect lives and property and to prepare and exploit the state potentials to provide safety and protection for pilgrims.
