Mecca-SANA – On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman hosted the annual reception for prominent Islamic figures, guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, guests of government entities, and heads of Hajj affairs delegations and offices who performed this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The Syrian Minister of Endowments was among the attendees.
During the ceremony held Saturday at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, Prince Mohammed congratulated all Muslims on the blessed Eid al-Adha. He emphasized that the Kingdom has harnessed all its capabilities to serve the pilgrims and facilitate their rituals with ease.
“This year’s Eid al-Adha comes as our brothers in Palestine continue to suffer due to the Israeli aggression,” Prince Mohammed stated. “We underscore the international community’s role in ending the catastrophic repercussions of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and creating a new reality where Palestine enjoys peace, in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy.”
Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Committee for the Service of the Guests of Rahman, delivered a speech reviewing the preparations for this year’s Hajj season. These preparations began immediately after the end of last year’s Hajj, leading to an unprecedented level of integration and efficiency in the Hajj system.
Dr. Al-Rabiah addressed the most prominent of what was achieved in this year’s Hajj, where in the energy field 46 new projects were implemented, to strengthen the electrical system in Mecca and the Holy Sites, and in the transport sector more than 7 thousand air flights were received from 238 international destinations, and 4700 trips were operated via the Haramain train, and 2500 trips by the Mashaaer train, and with the participation of more than 20 thousand transport buses.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Hussein, Secretary-General of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, delivered a speech on behalf of the Muslim World League.
He stressed that among the most important objectives of Islam and the benefits of Hajj are preserving the unity of the Islamic nation, strengthening the bonds of faith-based brotherhood, and fostering amity, cooperation, and love among Muslims of all sects, colors, races, languages, and nationalities. This aims to narrow differences, bridge distances, reconcile hearts, unite words, and achieve religious brotherhood.
Dr. Mohammed Abu al-Khair Shukri, Minister of Endowments in the Syrian Arab Republic, delivered a speech on behalf of the heads of Hajj affairs offices.
He expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for the exceptional and qualitative efforts provided to the pilgrims.
Dr. Shukri stated: “This year’s Hajj season, 1446 AH, continues the Kingdom’s established approach of facilitating the pilgrimage for pilgrims, embodying its timeless message of serving Islam and Muslims, and reflecting the authentic historical honor of the leadership and people of this blessed land in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.”
He added: “The comprehensive and sustainable development of infrastructure, the smart services system, and the use of the latest technologies in crowd management that we witness are evidence of the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030, and its impact has been realized ahead of schedule.”
He further noted that all pilgrims experienced the significant facilities provided by the Guests of Rahman service program, which eased their journey by relying on the latest electronic systems and smartphone applications, in addition to high competitiveness among service providers. This positively impacted the quality of services and contributed to an unprecedented improvement in the pilgrim’s journey.
The Minister of Endowments commended the early planning and unprecedented preparations by the entities concerned with serving pilgrims and Umrah performers to develop their services and contribute to facilitating pilgrims with the highest standards.
He affirmed the support of the leaders of Hajj affairs missions for all efforts of the agencies working within the Guests of Rahman service program in the Kingdom to apply regulations and instructions aimed at organizing Hajj and protecting the safety and security of pilgrims away from any political slogans or orientations that disrupt the spirit of this great ritual.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
