Iranian Pilgrims Praise Hajj Services

Iranian pilgrim Tahereh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian pilgrim Tahereh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Iranian Pilgrims Praise Hajj Services

Iranian pilgrim Tahereh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Iranian pilgrim Tahereh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Iranian pilgrims have praised the services provided during this year’s Hajj season as they participated in the stoning of the devil ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

Following their prayers on the plains of Arafat, they experienced an atmosphere of faith and spirituality, supported by efficient services that made their rituals easy to perform.

Zahra, a 41-year-old pilgrim, praised the excellent organization, highlighting the ease of movement within the holy sites.

“Despite the large crowd of people from different cultures and ethnicities, everything was well managed, and the services were wonderful,” she said.

“This is my first time performing Hajj,” she revealed.

“It’s a new experience, and I hope to come again. I loved the city’s atmosphere, and it wasn’t far from Makkah. Everything was good,” she added.

Zahra also appreciated the friendly and welcoming interactions during the Hajj journey, describing the environment as “warm and hospitable.”

She also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for organizing the Hajj, highlighting the challenge of managing pilgrims from various countries.

Shamima, 43, shared her happiness with Asharq Al-Awsat after performing the Hajj. She praised the numerous services that made the movements of pilgrims in holy sites comfortable and easy.

Speaking from the Jamarat site, she said: “The place and atmosphere are beautiful.”

“Everyone is throwing the stones without difficulty, thanks to excellent organization. I thank the Saudi government for the great services provided,” she added.

Tahereh, from Qom, Iran, expressed her indescribable joy at being in the holy sites. She noted the special feeling of seeing Muslims from around the world.

“The organization is exceptional,” she said.

“Groups are organized efficiently at the Jamarat site, with no crowding, making the stoning ritual easy and smooth. It is wonderful,” she added.

The movement of pilgrims between holy sites was smooth, with direct oversight from various security sectors managing vehicle and pedestrian routes according to plans.

This year’s Hajj season saw over 1.8 million pilgrims, according to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

More than 1.61 million pilgrims came from abroad, while over 221,000 were from within the Kingdom.



Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support to Lebanon, Syria and Their People

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support to Lebanon, Syria and Their People

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government underscored on Tuesday the Kingdom’s support to Lebanon and Syria and their people and efforts to help them reclaim their natural position in their Arab and international fold.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet reviewed the visits carried out by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah to Lebanon and Syria last week.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the ministers on the telephone talks he held with US President Donald Trump and the meeting he held with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Discussions focused on developing relations between their countries and on regional and international developments.

The cabinet hoped that the establishment of the Saudi-Italian Strategic Partnership Council will boost bilateral communication and cooperation at all levels, ultimately achieving common interests and benefits.

The cabinet praised the participation of the Kingdom's delegation in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, which highlighted the ongoing advancements in fulfilling the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030, as well as the initiatives and contributions that are reshaping the global economic landscape, fostering transformational innovation, and unleashing human potential.

Moreover, the cabinet deemed the announcement that the Kingdom will host the World Economic Forum’s global meeting on a regular basis as an affirmation of its leadership as a global hub for international dialogue, highlighting its role in shaping the global development agenda and bolstering multilateral action to achieve prosperity for all.