About 900,000 Pilgrims Arrive Saudi For 2018 Hajj

No fewer than 900,000 pilgrims have arrived Saudi Arabia through  the country’s air, sea and land ports to perform their rituals for his year.

Governor of Madinah region Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz welcomed visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Faisal said during his meeting with heads of Hajj delegations that Madinah’s citizens and officials are pleased to welcome pilgrims, serve them and facilitate their affairs.

Meanwhile, all public and private agencies concerned with Hajj and Pilgrims’ affairs in Makkah, Madinah and other cities serving pilgrims have completed their preparations to serve all pilgrims this season.

Makkah Governor Prince Khaled al-Faisal inspected a Hajj reception centre on the Makkah-Jeddah highway on Tuesday.

The centre will be completed by next year under the direction of the Hajj Ministry and the Makkah Development Authority.

The centre includes parking spaces that can accommodate more than 4000 vehicles, eight pathways, headquarters for parties accommodating 800 employees, a mosque and a courtyard with a capacity of more than 20,000 worshipers.

After the completion of this project, procedures of pilgrims will take seven minutes.

On the other hand, Jeddah Islamic Port has completed steps enabling the use of technology to complete the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims through the seaport, which is the largest in Saudi Arabia, as part of its operational plan for the 2018 Hajj season.

“All measures taken will invest in technology in order to facilitate and serve pilgrims as the Saudi cadres working in all sections of the port are qualified to provide the required services for pilgrims,” General Manager of Jeddah’s Islamic Port Captain Abdullah al-Zamae told Asharq Al-Awsat.

NAN