Saudi Hajj Minister says ready to receive Qatari pilgrim; first group of Iran pilgrims arrive

TARIQ AL-THAQAF
In this combination image from pictures shared on social media, Iranian pilgrims check in at the Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Sunday. They were the among first group of pilgrims from around the world to arrive for the forthcoming Hajj.

JEDDAH: All preparations for the reception and service of Qatari pilgrims have been completed, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Salih Bentin said.
He pointed out that he was briefed about the contracts signed between the National Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Pilgrims and Hajj affairs offices, including the contract signed between the establishment and Qatar’s Hajj affairs offices. He also confirmed that the establishment is ready to receive them and to provide the necessary services.
Bentin confirmed the readiness of all sectors that provide service to pilgrims who began to come to Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims from Iran, the first group of which arrived on Sunday in Madinah.
The minister continued his inspection tours and field visits to Tawafa establishments on Sunday. He visited the premises of the National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of non-Arab African countries and the National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of South Asia to review the operational plans of the establishments for the Hajj season this year.
These include programs, objectives, implementation mechanisms, evaluation, follow-up and supervision and access to executive programs. It also includes ways to discuss strategies for further development of all services provided by the establishments to pilgrims concerning reception, grouping, transport, Arafat ascending, housing, nutrition and awareness.
The minister discussed with the chairman of the board of directors of the National Tawafa Establishment for the Pilgrims of Non-Arab African Countries, Mr. Rami bin Saleh Labani, operational plans prepared by the establishment for Hajj season this year.
Bentin concluded his field visits to the Tawafa establishments by visiting the headquarters of the National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of South Asia countries in the “Rusaifa” district in Makkah.