During the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed a diverse group of senior officials, religious scholars, military leaders, and Hajj representatives at Mina Palace. This gathering was held to acknowledge the contributions of those involved in facilitating this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Acting on behalf of King Salman, the crown prince conveyed Eid greetings to the citizens, residents, and pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. He commended the efforts of military personnel, security forces, government employees, and volunteers who played a crucial role in assisting the pilgrims and ensuring the safety of the Kingdom.
The crown prince reiterated the importance of serving the Two Holy Mosques and other sacred sites in Saudi Arabia, highlighting it as one of the nation’s most significant responsibilities. He assured the continued commitment of the Kingdom to uphold security and stability. The reception was attended by high-ranking officials, including representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, various ministers, and scout groups involved in Hajj operations.
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, speaking on behalf of the security services, underscored the successful implementation of this year’s Hajj security plans. He noted that Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investment in services for pilgrims has significantly improved safety measures and operational efficiency. The Kingdom is hosting more than 1.7 million pilgrims during this Hajj season, with over 1.54 million arriving from abroad and about 160,000 participating from within the country.
The rise in the number of pilgrims compared to the previous year has been facilitated by the expansion of infrastructure, the introduction of digital services, and enhanced crowd-management systems at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The Makkah Route Initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete immigration and customs procedures before leaving their countries, expanded this year, aiding in smoother arrivals. Over 441,000 personnel, including security officers, healthcare workers, transport coordinators, and emergency responders, have been deployed to ensure the smooth execution of Hajj operations and the safety of the pilgrims.
In a separate gesture, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchanged Eid greetings with leaders across the Islamic world, expressing hopes for continued peace, stability, and prosperity in Muslim nations. This outreach underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering harmonious relations within the Islamic community.
