Saudi Arabia is set to host 2 million pilgrims for Hajj this year, says a government official.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom is ready to receive two million pilgrims during Hajj season this year, said the Saudi Press Agency.
Last year around 900,000 pilgrims were welcomed to Saudi Arabia’s holiest cities.
Hajj 2023
Al-Rabiah also stressed the development projects and infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide quality services to holy sites.
Projects underway are valued at $53bn (SR200bn) and include the Haramain Express Train, which connects Makkah and Madinah in a two-hour journey.
The minister stressed the keenness of the Ministry and all agencies related to the pilgrimage system to provide the best health and logistical services to all pilgrims, in a way that guarantees saving time and effort.
He also referred to the variety of services being provided by the “Nusuk platform”. These include extending the Umrah visa period from 30 to 90 days, allowing Umrah to be performed for all types of visas, and reducing the cost of comprehensive insurance.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a pilgrimage every adult Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they have the means.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck an estimated 2.5m people performed Hajj in the Kingdom in 2019.
Earlier this month it was reported that pilgrims will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. According to the media report, pilgrims must also have a vaccination against seasonal influenza as well as a meningitis vaccination.
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