During the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia hosted a significant gathering at Mina Palace, where he welcomed senior officials, religious leaders, military commanders, and Hajj representatives. This reception was held to honor the contributions of those involved in this year’s pilgrimage efforts. Representing King Salman, the crown prince extended his holiday greetings to the citizens, residents, and pilgrims of Saudi Arabia, while expressing gratitude to military personnel, security forces, government workers, and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to the safety and service of pilgrims, as well as the protection of the Kingdom.
The crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s dedication to the stewardship of the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites, emphasizing it as one of the nation’s top responsibilities. Attendees at the event included high-ranking officials, such as ministers, delegates from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and scout groups active in Hajj operations. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, speaking for the security services, praised the success of the security measures implemented for this year’s Hajj, noting the Kingdom’s continued investment in pilgrim services, which has bolstered safety and operational efficiency.
This year, Saudi Arabia is accommodating more than 1.7 million pilgrims, with over 1.54 million arriving from abroad and approximately 160,000 participating from within the country. Authorities have noted an increase in pilgrim numbers compared to the previous year, a growth facilitated by enhanced infrastructure, digital services, and improved crowd-management systems at key sites such as Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative has also played a crucial role, enabling hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to complete immigration and customs procedures prior to leaving their home countries, thereby streamlining the arrival process.
To support the Hajj operations and ensure the safety of pilgrims, more than 441,000 personnel, including security officers, healthcare professionals, transport coordinators, and emergency responders, have been deployed. This comprehensive deployment underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to a safe and seamless pilgrimage experience.
In a separate gesture of goodwill, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchanged Eid greetings with leaders from across the Islamic world, conveying their hopes for ongoing peace, stability, and prosperity throughout Muslim nations.
