MINA: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the Kingdom’s annual post-Hajj reception for heads of state, senior officials, Islamic figures, and the leaders of Hajj delegations at Mina Palace on Thursday.
The attendees included leaders and senior representatives of several Muslim-majority countries, as well as participants in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques guest program, and officials involved in the organization of Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a speech delivered during the event, the crown prince congratulated Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and said Saudi Arabia would continue its longstanding commitment to serving pilgrims and caring for the holy sites.
“God has honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the care of the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites and the service of their visitors,” he said.
“We affirm that, with God’s help and guidance, we will continue the blessed efforts exerted by the kings of the Kingdom since the era of King Abdulaziz.”
Saudi officials highlighted the sheer scale of the preparations for this year’s pilgrimage, which involved coordination between more than 60 government entities under the supervision of the Supreme Hajj Committee.
The minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said authorities had expanded the range of digital services available to pilgrims through the official Nusuk platform, which now provides more than 130 services related to visas, permits and other pilgrimage arrangements.
More than 173,000 flights carrying pilgrims from 366 destinations arrived in the run-up to Hajj, he added, while thousands of train journeys and bus services transported pilgrims to and from the holy sites. Saudi authorities also implemented extensive health and infrastructure measures during the pilgrimage, including additional hospital beds, and upgrades to electricity and water supplies in Makkah and at the holy sites.
Speakers at the reception praised Saudi Arabia for its management of Hajj and efforts to improve services for pilgrims under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda for reforms, development and diversification, the Saudi Press Agency added.
