On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, hosted the annual reception for world leaders, prominent Islamic figures, government officials, and heads of delegations at the Royal Court in Mina Palace on Monday. The event welcomed dignitaries who had performed Hajj this year.
In his address, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, “On behalf of my father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and all Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.” He prayed for the pilgrims’ rituals to be accepted and for their journey to be completed in safety and peace, while also wishing continued security and prosperity for the nation and the Islamic world.
The Crown Prince expressed gratitude to God for bestowing Saudi Arabia with the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites, ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims. He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to this great responsibility by providing all necessary facilities for the comfort of pilgrims from their arrival until their safe return home.
He continued, “This blessed Eid al-Adha comes as our brothers in Gaza continue to endure heinous crimes. We stress the immediate need to halt this aggression and urge the international community to take all measures to protect lives in Gaza.”
The Crown Prince highlighted the importance of implementing recent UN Security Council resolutions regarding the immediate ceasefire proposal in Gaza. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s call for the international community to recognize an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, enabling the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights and achieving comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, reviewed the ministry’s plans and organizational arrangements for all Hajj offices worldwide. He noted that early contract finalization, compared to previous years, was achieved due to the presence of 35 companies competing to provide services to pilgrims, significantly enhancing service quality and satisfaction levels.
Dr. Al-Rabiah added, “We organize the annual Hajj Conference and Exhibition under royal patronage, which saw participation from over 100 countries and showcased services from more than 200 specialized companies. This exhibition allows Hajj offices to explore services and finalize contracts under one roof.”
He also pointed out the establishment of the Hajj Project Management Office, which coordinates with over 50 government agencies to serve pilgrims, executing more than 300 action plans covering all procedures and services. He mentioned the implementation of three major crowd management simulations, involving 15,000 buses in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, to ensure sector readiness and the construction of 11 buildings in Mina to accommodate 37,000 pilgrims as a prototype to improve the Hajj experience. Expansion of these model buildings will continue to better serve pilgrims.