Ministry Of Interior Holds Daily Press Conference For Hajj Season 1445 AH

Mina, SPA – The Ministry of Interior held its daily press conference for the 1445 AH/2024 AD Hajj season today, announcing the successful transportation of pilgrims within the holy sites as they returned to Mina this morning. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, Security Spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, noted that the pilgrims performed the Tawaf (circumambulation) of Al-Ifadah and the stoning of Jamrat Al-Aqaba safely and peacefully.

Al-Shalhoub highlighted the continued commitment of the security forces to maintain the security and safety of the pilgrims during their stay in Mina, their performance of rituals at the Grand Mosque, and the Jamarat Bridge. He urged pilgrims to adhere to instructions regulating their movements during the Days of Tashriq, including following organized flow and designated directions on roads leading to the Jamarat Bridge and the Grand Mosque.

He also advised pilgrims to refrain from carrying luggage to these locations and to maintain calmness and order during their movement. Al-Shalhoub urged those hurrying to depart from Mina during the second Day of Tashriq not to leave their camps before specified times determined by officials in charge of their service. He commended the efforts made by security sectors, noting that the Unified Security Operations Center (911) in the Makkah region received 78,872 calls on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah.

Ayed Al-Ghuwaynem, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs, reported that around 800,000 pilgrims arrived in Mina before dawn today, with an influx continuing until 8:30 AM. Approximately 850,000 pilgrims have performed Tawaf Al-Ifadah since midnight, using buses to and from the Grand Mosque through 11 stations in Mina. The trips will continue for 35 hours to transport around 1,350,000 pilgrims.

Al-Ghuwaynem also mentioned that operations related to sacrificial offerings (Hady and Adahi) have been organized according to high environmental standards, utilizing a modern system for managing animal waste. This is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi, with a capacity exceeding 1 million sacrificial offerings.

Saleh Al-Zuwaid, Spokesman of the Transport and Logistic Services System for Hajj season, clarified that operational plans for Mashaer train are progressing as planned. The train has been operating for four days, providing convenient transportation services for pilgrims. During the past 24 hours and during the Nafrah phase from sunset on Saturday until 12:30 AM on Sunday, more than 305,000 pilgrims were transported from Arafat to Muzdalifah.

Additionally, over 360,000 pilgrims were transported from Muzdalifah to Mina. At 9:00 AM on Eid Al-Adha's first day, the fifth movement of Mashaer train started, connecting stations such as Arafat 3, Muzdalifah 3, Mina 1, Mina 2, and reaching Jamarat Bridge in Mina. Over 100,000 passengers have benefited from this phase so far. These movements will continue until sunset on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.

The Haramain High Speed Railway will continue its operations as planned with over 3,800 trips throughout Hajj season. The plan has provided over 1.6 million seats and is expected to reach peak operational capacity on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah with 126 trips in a single day.

Aviation Sector

In aviation, Al-Zuwaid stated that the second phase of this year's operational plan will facilitate pilgrim departures through six designated domestic and international airports. He highlighted the success of the first phase and plans for expanding the "Hajj without Bag" initiative which served around 700,000 pilgrims last year.

Health Situation

Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, Spokesman for the Saudi Health Ministry, described the health and epidemiological situation during this Hajj season as reassuring. No significant diseases affecting public health have been recorded among pilgrims. However, cases of heat stress and sunstroke amounted to 2,764 due to high temperatures at holy sites and exposure to peak sun intensity from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Al-Abdulaali emphasized that failure to use umbrellas or drink water regularly contributed to these cases. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring affected cases and wishes them a speedy recovery.

With inputs from SPA