A new online portal will be the official source of news, announcements and information about the Hajj, including all associated initiatives, activities and events, said Minister of Media Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad as he officially launched the service.
He said that the ministry has completed its preparations to host local and international print and broadcast media, and has put in place state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that will allow them to share this great event with the world. Its work, he added, reflects the great efforts the Saudi authorities and people are making to welcome and care for pilgrims.
Al-Awwad said more than 800 foreign media representatives will be in Saudi Arabia to cover Hajj events. To assist them, the ministry has established and equipped a number of media centers in Makkah and other holy places. They will provide journalists and other media professionals from inside and outside the Kingdom with press services, communication networks, computers and everything else they need to cover the Hajj.
Al-Awwad said the centers will also provide background information and data on the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques and the development of the areas around them, as well as the infrastructure projects carried out in the sacred places to assist pilgrims’ Hajj journey.
“Hundreds of Saudi media representatives will help foreign counterparts with interviews and stories,” he added.
The government communications center, an affiliate of the ministry, is supervising the implementation of the Hajj plan and will coordinate with other bodies to bring the Hajj to the world, transmitting it live in several languages.
