Under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Patronage, Makkah Deputy Governor Inaugurates Hajj and Umrah Services Conference, Exhibition 2024

General News

2024-11-05

Jeddah, SPA: Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, inaugurated Monday the third annual Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition.Running for four days from January 8 to 11 at the Jeddah Superdome, the conference is organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the programs of the Saudi Vision 2030.Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah delivered a welcoming speech to the guests at the landing place of revelation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The minister noted that in this edition of the conference, esteemed guests from 80 countries are participating, and the Hajj agreement for the year 1445 AH has been signed with all of them.He announced the hosting of 13,550,000 million Muslims who performed the Umrah rituals during the year 2023, making it the most historic year for Muslims performing Umrah with an increase of 5 million and a percentage exceeding 58% compared to the previous highest number.“All service providers were successfully drawn to this significant event, allowing them to finalize their contracts with service-providing companies,” said the minister, adding that opportunities were provided for Hajj offices and missions to directly engage in contracts with service providers.Dr. Al-Rabiah highlighted that opening competition resulted in an increase in the number of companies providing services for international pilgrims from six to 20 during the Hajj season of 1444 AH. In the current Hajj season, he noted, a larger number has been licensed, bringing the total to more than 35 Hajj service companies.“For the first time in the history of Hajj, the organizational arrangements documents for the Hajj season of 1445 AH have been handed over to countries immediately after the conclusion of the previous Hajj season. This comes as an incentive for countries that conclude their contracts early, granting them priority in selecting their locations in the holy sites," he said.The minister emphasized that countries without Hajj missions have utilized the ministry's “Nusuk” platform to directly serve pilgrims.In 1444 AH, the platform served 67 countries, expanding to 126 countries for the current Hajj season of 1445 AH, he said, adding that pilgrims can easily and transparently choose their packages and services, obtaining their Hajj visa directly without intermediaries.Dr. Al-Rabiah highlighted the ongoing development journey of the infrastructure of the holy sites through developmental projects exceeding SAR 5 billion.Additionally, he said more than 14,000 restrooms and bathing areas have been added.To address weather challenges, he indicated that 150,000 new air conditioning units have been installed in the holy sites.Afterwards, the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements. The first agreement was between the Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction Company and the General Authority of Awqaf (GAA), aiming to establish a hotel wings project worth SAR 2.5 billion.Regarding the second agreement, it was between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the GAA, and the Pilgrim Experience Program to establish an awareness center for the guests of God.Meanwhile, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji revealed the launch of the KSA Visa application in December 2023 for electronic visas.Eng. El-Khereiji noted that this initiative aims to facilitate pilgrims in obtaining their visas electronically without the need to visit the embassy.He also pointed out that issuing electronic visas has contributed to addressing security and health challenges, adding that necessary precautions have been taken to deal with forged visas in coordination with security authorities.Moreover, he emphasized that the ministry takes these challenges into consideration and actively works to address them.The activities of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition 2024 will continue over the coming days, featuring a series of sessions and workshops discussing topics such as the future visions for the development of holy sites.This comes in addition to safeguarding the rights of the guests of God, integration with the Hajj and Umrah system, and various other sessions and workshops.