Lunit shares Hajj involvement

The KSA government and Seha Virtual Hospital (SVH) have deployed the Lunit INSIGHT AI-based chest X-ray analysis solution (CXR) to support large-scale screening during the 2025 Hajj season. 

The Hajj, which ran from June 4–9 in 2025,  is one of the world's largest annual mass gatherings. It draws over 2 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries. During this high-risk period, the Saudi health authorities prioritise early detection of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and MERS. 

With hundreds of thousands of chest X-rays taken over just a few days, Lunit's AI successfully assisted healthcare teams on the ground by automatically analysing chest X-rays to identify abnormalities, helping facilitate rapid triage and timely treatment.

"Managing health risks during Hajj requires speed, scale, and precision. That's exactly where our AI comes in—helping frontline teams detect potential issues faster and more reliably," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit, a provider of AI for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. 

"Being selected again for this initiative reflects the strong trust we've built with Saudi Arabia's healthcare leaders and highlights how AI can make a real difference in the field."

This marks another milestone in Lunit's ongoing collaboration with Seha Virtual Hospital, the world's largest virtual hospital and a central component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 digital healthcare transformation. Lunit INSIGHT CXR was previously validated and integrated into SVH's national screening programme in 2023, with plans to expand across more than 170 medical sites in the kingdom. 

First batches of Hajj pilgrims arrive

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reported via Facebook that its #Hajj_and_Umrah ecosystem has received pilgrims from Indonesia and Turkiye at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Madinah.

Hashtags: #Ease_and_Tranquility, #No_Hajj_Without_a_Permit

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah warns of fines of up to SR100,000 for Hajj violations

Source: Saudi Ministry of Hajj
and Umrah Facebook page.
Hajj without a permit
exposes individuals to penalties
and regulatory accountability.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in KSA has emphasised that an official permit to perform the Hajj for the 1446 AH season (2025) is compulsory. This requirement ensures the safety and security of pilgrims as they perform the rituals of the pilgrimage.

The ministry stressed that Hajj can only be performed by domestic pilgrims who have an official permit, and pilgrims from overseas with a regular Hajj visa. All other types of visas do not enable their holders to perform the pilgrimage. It also said that scams should be reported immediately.

The Ministry said that there are penalties against anyone who violates Hajj instructions, including those caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to SR20,000. The same fine will also be applied to holders of all types of visit visas if they enter or attempt to enter Makkah Al-Mukarramah or remain there during the period from 1 Dhu al-Qidah until the end of 14 Dhu al-Hijjah. 

Those who aid violaters will also be punished, with fines going as high as as SR100,000. There are penalties for facilitating visit visas for individuals who perform or attempt to perform Hajj without a permit, or for transporting, sheltering, or concealing them. Fines will be multiplied according to the number of violaters. 

Additional penalties include the deportation of trespassing residents and a 10-year ban from entering the country, as well as the confiscation of any land transportation vehicle proven to have been used in transporting holders of all types of visit visas to the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the holy sites.

Hashtags: #Ease_and_Tranquility, #No_Hajj_Without_a_Permit

Hajj 2024 ends

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has celebrated the completion of the Hajj season for 2024 (1445) at an event honouring distinguished Hajj Offices and award recipients. The government also shared a blueprint and timeline for the 2025 (1446) Hajj season.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the KSA Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, announced 465,000 medical services were conducted for pilgrims, including 141,000 services provided to unauthorised pilgrims. The official death toll is 1,301, of which 83% were unauthorised to perform Hajj and thus unable to take advantage of facilities available to authorised pilgrims. Many of the unauthorised pilgrims would have walked long distances during a heatwave.

Al-Jalajel disclosed that all of the dead had been identified and their families notified.

The SPA separately reported that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has begun issuing umrah visas. The move traditionally begins immediately after the Hajj season.

Hashtags: #1445_AH_Hajj, #Khitamuhu_Misk

900 from Singapore to go on Hajj

The KSA Ministry of Haj and Umrah has officially allocated 900 places for Singaporean pilgrims for 2024.

The Singapore Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, signed the Hajj agreement with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Eligible pilgrims have been issued Letters of Offer via the MyHajSG portal by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) according to their queue position in the Advance Haj Registration System. All prospective pilgrims have confirmed their places and have purchased their Hajj packages from authorised travel agents. 

There are 54,000 pilgrims still awaiting their turn.

KSA welcomes 2 million+ Hajj pilgrims

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released a video to welcome Hajj pilgrims. Over 2 million pilgrims from more than 160 countries are expected.

The KSA Minister of Hajj Tawfiq Al Rabiah starts the video with Talbiyah, a Muslim prayer cited by pilgrims as a declaration that they intend to perform Hajj only for the glory of God.

Source: KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Screen grab from the video.

"In just a matter of days, millions of Muslims from every corner of the globe will raise their voices to recite the powerful Talbiyah chant," Al Rabiah said.

"As Hajj draws near, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome pilgrims from all walks of life. With great pride and honour, we invite pilgrims to join us in the largest Islamic gathering in history."

Al Rabiah expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their constant follow-up on the services provided to the pilgrims.

Some of the numbers he shared include that Mina, which hosts the world's largest tent city, will accommodate 2,192,000 pilgrims. He said that 1.7 million airline bookings had been made, and that more than 32,000 healthcare practitioners, both male and female, will be on site to provide their services.

Al Rabiah added: "With a well-connected road and train network, shuttle bus services, and integrated infrastructure, pilgrims are guaranteed a seamless travel experience, regardless of their language or unique needs."

The eco-friendly Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line consists of 17 trains stopping at nine stations. It has an estimated operating capacity of 72,000 passengers per hour.

The Minister concluded the video by stating that today's achievements ride on the efforts of past years.

Details

Watch the video at https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105969/Ministry_of_Hajj.mp4

KSA focuses on food security for Hajj pilgrims

Source: KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims at the holy sites.

Proactive planning has historically allowed KSA to avoid food supply shortages, including during the second Gulf War in 1990, the food price crisis in 2008, and the deterioration of food supply chains in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, products from 1,294 food factories in KSA will secure more than 120 million meals for at least 2 million pilgrims in six days under the supervision of the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

KSA's strategy to achieve food security involves 11 programmes, including the Saudi Agricultural Investment Abroad Program, with the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) completing a SR4.65 B acquisition of 35.43% of Singapore's Olam Agri company in December 2022, in addition to the acquisition of two meat processing factories in Australia. 

Investment in food manufacturing amounts to about 7% of the total investments made in the Saudi industrial sector, and more than SR94 B has been invested to operate 11.35% of the factories in KSA, according to official data.

KSA has a megaproject to increase its vegetation cover, which has effectively contributed to achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural products such as dates with a sufficiency rate of 125%, and vegetables whose sufficiency rates have reached 87%. This is in addition to possessing the Middle East's largest wheat and flour storage capacity, with a daily milling capacity of 3.3 million tons.

Water security is also a priority. KSA currently engages in seawater desalination and manages 563 dams. Another 1,000 new dams to enhance the utilisation of rainwater are planned.

Hajj registrations open in Oman from 21 February

The Omani Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has announced that aspiring Hajj pilgrims may register online from 21 February to 4 March 2023, the Oman News Agency has reported.

The website requires national identification details or mobile phone numbers if the ID card and mobile chip are PKI-supported.

Nine hundred offered Hajj pilgrimage opportunity in Singapore

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is issuing offers to 900 individuals for Hajj 2023. All selected pilgrims will be notified via SMS and email to check their letter of offer (LOO) via the MyHajSG portal.

To confirm their place for Hajj 2023, pilgrims must purchase their Hajj package from a travel agent authorised by Muis, and complete procedural requirements listed in the MyHajSG portal by 26 February 2023.

Thirteen travel agents have been appointed to provide Hajj-related services this year. Pilgrims can view the information on the authorised travel agents and approved Hajj packages for 2023 at go.gov.sg/haj2023packages.

There are 30 approved Hajj packages, half of which cover stays of between 15 and 23 days, and the remainder covering stays of between 24 and 30 days.

Package prices have gone up by S$1,500, Muis said, mainly due to the higher government taxes and accommodation costs. The cheapest package costs S$8,490 (quad occupancy), and the typical average package price for is around S$14,150 (double occupancy). All packages exclude emergency medical assistance (EMA) and airfare. Pilgrims are encouraged to purchase additional travel insurance to supplement the insurance coverage provided by the EMA.

MOHU reports a well-planned Hajj 2022

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) has shared that the end-to-end management of Hajj pilgrims for 2022 includes the use of new technologies, including field surveillance cameras, smartphone apps, performance dashboards and a smart Hajj platform. Data captured through the various channels is used to finetune operations.

Crowd control was successfully supplemented by surveillance cameras at the holy sites, leading to pilgrims being guided to the Jamarat site on the 1st day of Tashreeq, the 2nd day of Eid al-Adha (11 July 2022), without incident*.

rly, the routing of pilgrims was completed on time and without any conflicts as they went from Jamarat al-Soghra to Jamarat al-Wusta, and then to Jamarat al-Aqaba. The routes are complex as there are four storeys on a pedestrian bridge from which to access the Jamarat towers. Other strategies to enhance the ease of the ritual included requesting pilgrims from carrying personal belongings during the Jamarat ritual, and requiring a regiment leader for every 90 pilgrims.

Crowd control was also in place from 12 Dhulhijjah to enable pilgrims to perform the farewell Tawaf, or circumnambulation of the Ka'abah, one of the last rituals of the Hajj. 

MOHU separately reported that its Communication Center has fielded more than 222,000 phone calls as well as enquiries via e-mail and through Twitter for the Hajj season to date. A toll-free hotline answered about 3,000 calls per day, the majority of which were questions about how to obtain visas, applying for Hajj, how to benefit from the Eatmarna app, and technical support. Some 3,600 e-mails were answered during the same period. The @MOHU_Care Twitter account responded to more than 1,290 tweets and messages as well.

*Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th of the month Dhulhijjah. One of the key Hajj rituals, the stoning of the devil, takes place at three towers at Jamarat in the city of Mina on the 2nd day of Eid al-Adha, 11 Dhulhijjah. The 11th to 13th of Dhulhijjah are called Tashreeq days, and come with specific rituals which are permitted or forbidden.

UAE discusses Hajj logistics

The UAE Pilgrims’ Affairs Office has reviewed the tasks assigned to the committees and the preparedness of all executive and operational plans to serve Emirati pilgrims for Hajj 2022, from the arrival of the Emirati pilgrims at the holy sites in KSA until their return home.

A meeting was held in Makkah and presided over by HE Dr Omar Habtoor al-Direi, the Executive Director for the Islamic Affairs and Assistant Deputy Head of UAE Pilgrims’ Affairs Office, to discuss the latest preparations. Dr al-Direi reiterated the necessity of adopting a preventive approach in coping with challenges in the holy sites, especially when pilgrims have to perform Hajj rites in a limited time and be present in crowded conditions.

The UAE Official Haj Mission departed for KSA on 28 June.

Udhiyah, hady available from Adahi.org

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hady and Adahi has started receiving udhiyah (الأضحية, sacrifice) and hady (هدي, sacrifice by Hajj pilgrims on 10 Dhulhijjah) requests for the Hajj 2022 season.

The Project is supporting more payment channels and digital means to receive adahi (أضاحي, sacrifice) requests and allow the tracking of adahi ritual performances. Payment coupons can be purchased from organisations such as the Al-Rajhi and AlBilad banks. Digital services are encouraged.

The rituals are performed following organised shari'ah and sanitary procedures in Makkah's slaughterhouses under the supervision of qualified shari'ah and veterinary professionals.

Sadaqah (صدقة, voluntary charity), fidyah (فدية,charity given because of a missed day of fasting) and aqiqah (عقيقة, sacrifice on the occasion of a birth) sales remain available all year round on Adahi.org. In the past few months the Project distributed nearly one million carcasses to over 2.5 million families in KSA in cooperation with charities. In addition, meat from 300,000 animals was shipped to Muslim countries and handed to about 1.5 million families.

Australian Hajj pilgrims begin to arrive in KSA

The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Australia have arrived in KSA. This is the first year pilgrims from Australia have been chosen through a new e-registration mechanism, itself a part of a digitalisation initiative by the KSA Ministry of Haj and Umrah. The e-portal is said to offer competitive rates for Hajj packages, and streamlines e-visa issuances.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah also shared details of domestic pilgrim registration. Over 297,000 applications had been received, with the highest proportion of applicants aged 31 to 40. There was no preference given to those who had responded the earliest.

Singapore Hajj quota processed successfully

The Islamic Council of Singapore (Muis) has successfully processed all 407 places as granted by KSA. Pilgrims were given the Hajj places in accordance with the conditions and requirements for Hajj 2022 as well as the places in the Muis’ Advance Haj Registration System (AHRS).

Muis said that all pilgrims have registered with the officially-appointed Hajj travel agencies and paid for their preferred Hajj packages already. This year, 10 approved Hajj packages were available, half of which offer stays of 14-23 days, and the rest offering stays of up to 29 days.

Prices ranged from S$6,830 (quad occupancy) to about S$15,125 (double occupancy). All package prices quoted included emergency medical assistance but excluded airfare, masha'ar* (المشاعر) costs of between S$5,000 and S$9,000, and and prevailing taxes.

"Muis is now working to have their Hajj visas issued by the kingdom," the organisation reported.

*Masha'ar refers to the large-scale movements of pilgrims within specific boundaries in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina to fulfil their Hajj pilgrimage between 7 and 12 Dhulhijjah.

Muis opens Hajj 2022 to 407

In response to new developments from the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has filled this year's Hajj quota for Singapore with eligible pilgrims who were supposed to perform their Hajj in 2020. The pilgrimage had been deferred for Singapore pilgrims since 2020 due to COVID.

Muis had previously asked pilgrims who were affected by the deferment of Hajj in 2020 and 2021 if they would be interested to perform this year’s Hajj, and recorded their vaccination status plus latest contact details. This is part of Muis’ efforts to get prospective pilgrims to prepare early, remain flexible and be spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially ready to perform their Hajj. 

Those who have yet to reply to Muis are requested to do so by 29 April 2022, failing which they will be automatically placed in the queue for subsequent years. Muis has also confirmed that all other pilgrims who are in the Advance Haj Registration System will be automatically requeued to perform Hajj in subsequent years, subject to conditions and requirements as mandated by the KSA authorities. 

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently announced that Hajj in 2022 will be opened to 1 million pilgrims, including 850,000 international pilgrims. Each country is accorded approximately 45% of their previous official pre-pandemic quota. Singapore has been granted a Hajj quota of 407 places, which is approximately 45% of the previous official quota of 900.

The Ministry also specified that this year’s Hajj will be allocated for pilgrims aged under 65. All pilgrims must be COVID-19 vaccinated with a KSA-approved vaccine and must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours from the time of departure to KSA. 

Muis is now appointing approved travel agents for Hajj 2022 and finalising the approved Hajj packages available for pilgrims. Muis will be announcing the list of approved travel agents and package prices on 4 May 2022. 

Muis is also finalising the list of pilgrims who are able to meet the conditions and requirements for Hajj 2022 and will be issuing formal letters of offer on 5 May 2022. Eligible pilgrims will be notified via SMS informing them to check their email for details on the collection of their letter. 

Upon accepting the formal offer from Muis, pilgrims are required to purchase Hajj packages with their preferred approved travel agent within three calendar days. 

Allocated pilgrims are strongly advised to prepare the following travel documents before purchasing their Hajj packages: 

- Valid passport (six months validity before departure date) 

- Colour passport picture (4 cm x 6 cm) 

- COVID-19 vaccination certificate (www.notarise.gov.sg)

- Meningococcal meningitis vaccination certificate

- Seasonal influenza vaccination certificate (recommended) 

Given the requirement of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours from the time of departure to KSA, pilgrims are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance that cover their medical expenses in KSA, trip cancellation and trip curtailment, should they fail their PCR test and cannot travel to KSA. 

Muis also stated that the cost of approved Hajj packages is dependent on costs in KSA. "We are still awaiting confirmation from the Saudi authorities, although there are indications that there will be an increase in costs compared to pre-pandemic times," the organisation said in a statement.

KSA welcomes first Hajj pilgrims for Tawaf

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on July 17 that the first batch of Hajj pilgrims have arrived at the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum (the circumnambulation of the Ka'abah on arrival).

The SPA cited the Director of Crowds Department at the Grand Holy Mosque, Eng. Osama bin Mansour Al-Hujaili, who said that preparations are complete to receive pilgrims to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum on Dhulhijjah 7, 1442. Multiple locations have been set up to accommodate 11,000 pilgrims in entering the Tawaf (circumambulation) area.

Eng. Al-Hujaili also shared that over 500 employees have taken part in receiving pilgrims from the three gathering centers.

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced this week that 60,000 pilgrims may perform Hajj in 1442.

Other stipulations include:

- Existing KSA residents of all nationalities, or KSA citizens.

- Pilgrims must be free of chronic diseases.

- Aged 18 to 65

- Vaccinated, in accordance with the instructions and procedures followed in KSA.

Hajj plans to integrate pandemic concerns

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, KSA Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Higher Committee, has approved the general security plan related to Hajj 2021, which integrates pandemic procedures, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

The plan is in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Prince, for whom Hajj rituals should be performed in a way that maintains pilgrim security and safety.

In a separate update, SPA reported that unauthorised access to the Grand Mosque, central area surrounding it and the Holy Sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat) from 25/11/1442H to 13/12/1442H will be fined SAR10,000 with the fine doubled for repeated violations. The provisions and fines related to violators of preventive measures and protocols during the pandemic are aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 during this year’s Hajj.

Hajj will be held from 8 to 13 Dhulhijjah (the 12th Islamic month), roughly corresponding to 17-22 July. The start of Dhulhijjah is contingent on the sighting of the new moon at the end of the preceding month of Dhulqa'adah (the 11th Islamic month).

Smart cards aid pilgrims at Hajj 2020

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has activated the smart card digital identity initiative to provide services to Hajj pilgrims for the second year running. While the cards were used on a small scale in 2019, the service was expanded in 2020 to include all pilgrims and participants.

Dr Amr Al-Maddah, Supervisor General of the Planning and Development Agency at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said that the smart cards are part of the ministry’s strategy for digital transformation via creating virtual platforms to facilitate and reduce procedures, keep pace with the technological developments and achieve the goals of the Vision 2030 Executive Programme called Serving Pilgrims. He added that the smart cards are extensions of the Smart Hajj platform project launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Each card includes the pilgrim’s personal, medical and residential information, which are required for various services, such as guiding pilgrims to their residence at holy sites, controlling access to facilities, and reducing illegal Hajj. The cards also include near-field communications (NFC) to read Hajj data through self-service machines as well as a barcode that can be read by Hajj support staff.

Fatwa Robot service launched during the Hajj

Source: KSA Ministry of Media. The Fatwa Robot service enables fatwas safely when social distancing is required.

The KSA Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the Directorate General of Information Technology, has launched the Fatwa Robot service. Through this service, the Ministry has sought to apply state-of-the-art technology in line with its commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, and to implement the health protocols inherent to this year’s Hajj.

The service issues religious rulings and consultations to pilgrims in a move considered the first in the field of religious rulings and consultations. The service also bolsters health protocols through social distancing.

This roaming service, currently in service at the Namirah and Grand Mosques, will allow for direct visual communication between pilgrims and a team of Muftis from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. It will also facilitate the remote issuance of Fatwas in multiple languages.

The Namirah mosque (مسجد الإجابة), marks the location where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) camped before delivering his final sermon. The Grand Mosque or Masjid Al-Haram (المسجد الحرام) encloses the Ka'abah.

Safety precautions in place at Hajj

Source: KSA Ministry of Media. Haider.

The Official Spokesperson for General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has said that measures have been taken to help avoid congestion at the Hajj in 2020.

Hani Haider said health preventive measures had been taken at the holy sites to ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims. “One of the precautions taken by the General Presidency [for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques] was allocating a number of doors for the entry of pilgrims and different doors for their exit,” he said.

The General Presidency also recruited 3,500 workers to work 24x7 in sterilisation and purification of the Masjid al-Haram, he disclosed. Scents are also applied.

In addition, all fountains of the Zamzam well were have been closed, with sterilised bottles of Zamzam water available to pilgrims instead.