MAKKAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah successfully implemented measures to ensure that the movement of pilgrims between Hajj rituals went smoothly.
Friday night marked the descent of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah, considered one of the most critical phases as it requires efficient crowd control.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that the descent of pilgrims to Arafat was accomplished in “full ease and safety.”
The General Authority for Statistics has released the number of pilgrims for this year, amounting to 899,353 pilgrims, 779,919 of which came from outside the Kingdom and 119,434 from the Kingdom, including Saudi nationals and residents.
During this Hajj season, an integrated team consisting of 13 government agencies, working under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has been managing the movement and transportation of pilgrims.
The head of the unit involved in helping pilgrims descend from Arafat, Mohammed Al-Garni, said that the ministry has “developed an integrated plan for all services,” including transportation, housing and organizational procedures “to ensure that pilgrims are being well served from the moment they leave their country until they finish Hajj and return to their homelands again.”
More than 800,000 pilgrims were moved to Arafat by buses via three transportation routes between Arafat and Muzdalifah, while 200,000 traveled by Al-Haramain Railway.
This year, a direct route was opened for those who preferer to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah before leaving to perform the ritual of stoning the devil.
