The first batch of Iranian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj amid an integrated system of services offered by the Kingdom for pilgrims from all over the world.
Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that the second batch of Iranian pilgrims will arrive on Tuesday.
“They are being generously welcomed by Saudi Arabia, as are all pilgrims and as have all Iranians over the years,” he stressed.
The first batch of arrivals were administrative and social staff that will accompany the Iranian pilgrims. They will be followed by the pilgrims on Tuesday after Iran reopened its airspace over the weekend.
Pilgrims first started arriving in the Kingdom on April 18.
The Kingdom is dedicating all of its means to serve them and allow them to perform the holy rituals with ease.
Enayati hoped the Iranians would perform the rituals with ease and return home safely, expressing his gratitude to Saudi and Iranian authorities for their services.
The Iranian embassy is ready to offer any assistance and is coordinating with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, he added.
He noted the recent telephone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that tackled regional developments and diplomatic efforts exerted towards them.
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has been implementing the Makkah Road Initiative for eight years as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program. It is being carried out in 10 countries: Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Cote d'Ivoire, Maldives, Senegal and Brunei Darussalam.
Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has served over 1.2 million pilgrims. It aims to facilitate their journey through offering integrated services in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies.
