Saudi Arabia Enhances Hajj 1446 AH Preparations With Digital Integration For Seamless Pilgrim Experience

Saudi Arabia is fully committed to enhancing the Hajj experience for pilgrims, aligning with Vision 2030's objectives. Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary highlighted this dedication during a recent government press conference. He emphasised the country's efforts to improve service quality and facilitate Hajj rituals through an integrated system.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah shared that preparations for Hajj 1446 AH began early, involving extensive coordination with international representatives. The Ministry conducted 78 preparatory meetings, significantly boosting readiness. Female pilgrims make up 53% of arrivals, with males at 47%. Most pilgrims arrived by air, while a small percentage travelled by land or sea.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, led by Saleh Al-Jasser, has prepared extensively for the upcoming Hajj season. In aviation, over three million seats are available across 7,000 flights from 238 destinations. Additionally, the Haramain High Speed Railway will provide two million seats on more than 4,700 trips.

Saudi Arabia has leveraged advanced digital infrastructure for crowd management during Hajj. This includes over 5,000 communication towers and more than 9,000 stations supporting 5G and 4G networks. The country also offers over 10,000 free Wi-Fi points to enhance connectivity for pilgrims.

The Nusuk card has been updated to include health and residential information for pilgrims. Over 1.4 million cards have been issued to facilitate seamless movement between holy sites. The Nusuk application now offers more than 100 services, with plans to introduce an additional 60 services this year.

Health Sector Readiness

Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel confirmed that the health sector is well-prepared for the influx of pilgrims. Bed capacity has increased by 60%, supported by over 50,000 medical personnel. The health system began operations with the first Makkah Route Initiative flight and has provided over 50,000 health services so far.

To combat heatstroke risks, proactive measures include planting trees and installing water coolers and misting fans. A new emergency hospital in Mina and three field hospitals have been established to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage during Hajj.

Volunteerism and Community Engagement

The Ministry aims to engage over 25,000 volunteers this year with support from the National Center for Non-Profit Sector. These volunteers will play a crucial role in assisting pilgrims throughout their journey in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to volunteer efforts, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has prepared over 25,000 mosques in Makkah and Madinah for worshippers. Approximately 2.5 million copies of the Holy Qur'an have been distributed alongside digital identification cards featuring QR codes.

Ensuring Safety and Security

The "No Hajj Without a Permit" campaign remains vital in regulating pilgrim entry and ensuring safety through awareness initiatives. As of Sunday, around 1,070,000 pilgrims had arrived from outside Saudi Arabia; approximately 249,000 used the Makkah Route Initiative for streamlined travel procedures.

The Ministry of Commerce conducted over 11,000 inspections in Makkah and Madinah to ensure market compliance and availability of essential goods. Meanwhile, municipalities allocated resources including vehicles and shelters to support rapid response efforts linked to emergency services.

Media Coverage During Hajj

The second edition of the Hajj Media Forum was launched in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program. It spans over 6,000 square meters with participation from more than 5,000 media professionals worldwide. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority deployed resources such as transport vehicles and cameras to broadcast Hajj globally.

"The health system operates at full readiness," said AlJalajel urging pilgrims to follow guidelines like staying hydrated and avoiding direct sunlight for a safe pilgrimage experience.

With inputs from SPA