Ministry of Haj & Umra, KSA ensures ease of movement during Hajj

Source: Ministry of Haj & Umra, KSA. Transport by golf buggy.

The KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra has introduced new golf buggies at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and around the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Ḥarām) in Makkah to facilitate movement for elderly or sick Hajj pilgrims, and the handicapped.

As part of an integrated transportation strategy for Hajj 2016 (1437), the ministry has provided 18,000 fully-equipped buses, including 1,696 new buses, to transport nearly 1.5 million foreign Hajj pilgrims around Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites as they perform the rituals. The bus fleet is inspected every year and those buses which have reached their end of life are replaced.

The seasonal transportation services are manned by 25,000 drivers and technicians.

Domestic pilgrim e-portal in KSA near launch

Source: KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra.

The KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra has held a workshop in Jeddah for more than 250 owners and representatives of domestic Hajj companies and establishments on the version 2 of the domestic pilgrims e-portal, which had been upgraded after feedback on last year’s version. The portal consolidates a number of pilgrim services, including registration, e-payment, transparent provision of services, and drawing up of e-contracts.

HE the Ministry Undersecretary for Haj Affairs, Dr Hussein Al-Sharif said the domestic pilgrims e-portal would be opened soon following an awareness campaign on how to register. HE also stressed that citizens and residents should avoid Hajj scams such as phantom campaigns and transfer money through the portal.

Minister of Health, KSA inspects health facilities at Madinah

His Excellency the Minister of Health of the KSA, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has underlined the importance of improving health services with available capabilities, especially for increasing efficiency.

Al-Rabiah had visited Madinah in the last third of June, highlighting the role of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in providing health services to patients. He was briefed on preparations to serve this year's pilgrims and visitors of the two major mosques, including efforts to prevent disease, at the Health Control Center at Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, and inspected a number of health facilities including Al-Ansar Hospital, King Fahad Hospital and Ohud Hospital, and Al-safia Health Center and seasonal Bab Jabreel Health Center, both of which are primary healthcare centres at Al-Masjid An-Nabawi.

KSA Minister of Haj and Umra meets Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs

Source: KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra

The KSA Minister of Haj and Umra Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten has met with Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and his delegation.

The two discussed issues pertaining to the Indonesian Hajj and umrah pilgrims for this year, as well as the strong and sustainable ties between the two countries.

HE Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said that the milestone achievements and huge historic projects carried out by the kingdom have provided Muslims willing to perform Hajj rituals with a full spectrum of facilities.

The Minister of Haj and Umra earlier met the Malaysian Ambassador to the kingdom, Zinol Rahim Zainuddin. HE discussed several issues covering Hajj and umrah, and focused on the efforts made by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the benefit of Hajj and umrah pilgrims and visitors.

HE the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom praised the work of the KSA government under the leadership of the Saudi King Salman to ensure that all are provided with facilities to perform their rituals with ease and convenience.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog posts about the Yemen Hajj delegation's visit to KSA and a previous Indonesian delegation's visit to discuss Hajj 2016

posted from Bloggeroid

Ministry of Haj and Umra on track to hand over domestic Hajj accommodation in July

Source: Ministry of Haj and Umra, KSA.

The General Directorate of Domestic Pilgrims' Affairs in KSA, representing the Ministry of Haj and Umra, formerly named the Ministry of Haj, has carried out the final steps to hand over tents and towers in the month of Shawwal (July) to domestic Hajj organisations operating during the Hajj season this year.

It is expected that the timing will allow domestic Hajj organisations to complete the furnishing of the tents well in advance of the Hajj, which is expected to take place in September.

The allocation consists of:

• Six towers on the mountain slope of Mina, which can accommodate 11,872 pilgrims.
• A hundred and ninety-four standard tents, which can accommodate 132,679 pilgrims.
• Another 77 tents in the low-cost Hajj category, with a capacity of 51,518 pilgrims.

All the allocations of tents for domestic pilgrims have been made after finalising the requisite procedures with licensed domestic Hajj service providers. The evaluation of each company's performance in previous Hajj seasons was the major criterion in the allotment of tents.

Nearly 170,000 Indian pilgrims for Hajj this year

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. HH the Minister of Haj, KSA, Dr Bandar
Hajjar has met with a delegation from the Office of Indian Pilgrims.

HH the Minister of Haj, KSA, Dr Bandar Hajjar has met with a delegation from the Office of Indian Pilgrims, led by HH the retired general Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, who is also India's Minister of State for External Affairs.

The meeting was held as part of a coordination plan with Haj office delegations with regard to the arrangements and requirements of their pilgrims going to KSA for Hajj 2016 (1437). HH the Minister of Haj began the meeting with highlighting the efforts of the KSA, led by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz in conducting major projects in Makkah, the holy sites, and Madinah. The projects have been unprecedented in history in terms of space, quality, and         speed of completion. HH also stressed the importance of the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including promoting pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the Holy Lands, compliance with pilgrims' plans in order to maintain pilgrims' safety, and the early expiration of air transport and housing contracts.

Matters related to organising pilgrim affairs for Hajj 2016 were discussed, including housing and transportation, the ritual and procedural aspects; the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate; and the mutual cooperation in respect of umrah pilgrims services.

For their part, HH the Indian minister expressed his admiration for the developments and achievements that have facilitated Hajj services for all pilgrims including those from India, and praised the strong and historic relations between India and the KSA as well as the technical works of the Ministry of Haj, as well as the pilgrims' electronic portal. The portal allows pilgrims to complete all the procedures in their countries, and enables them, at the same time, to select the services they want. 

There will be nearly 170,000 Indian pilgrims this year.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the blog post about Haj and Umrah magazine, and on the meeting between the Ministry of Haj, KSA and the Kazakhstani delegation

An estimated 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims for Hajj 2016

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. 

HE the KSA Haj Affairs Undersecretary Dr Hussein bin Nasser Al-Sharif has met with HE the Assistant Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf, Sheikh Mothieb Al-Uthina, and his entourage.

The meeting, which came as part of the Ministry of Haj's plans to coordinate with Offices of Pilgrims Affairs around the world, addressed arrangements and requirements of the Kuwaiti pilgrims coming to perform Hajj 2016 (1437). They discussed matters related to organising Kuwaiti pilgrims, their housing and transportation, and the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate.

Dr Hussein Al-Sharif stressed compliance with guidelines on promoting pilgrims' awareness of all instructions prior to arrival. In particular, the safety instructions; use of the electronic portal; compliance with batch plans and schedules, and coordination with the Ministry's on-site units are essential to maintain pilgrims' safety.

The Office of Kuwaiti Pilgrims Affairs head praised the achievements executed at the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Haj for its cooperation and coordination, and the services it provides to them, and to all Haj offices delegations.

Kuwaiti's pilgrim quota this year is estimated at 8,000 pilgrims.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the meetings with the Iraqi and Bruneian Pilgrim Affairs Offices.

Logistics for Hajj pilgrims from Brunei, Iraq discussed in KSA

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA.

The Ministry of Haj, KSA is continuing its coordination with Haj Office delegations on arrangements and requirements for their pilgrims for Hajj 2016 (1437).

HH the Minister of Haj, KSA, Dr Bandar Hajjar has met with the Sultanate of Brunei's Office of Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH the Minister of Religious Affairs, Dato' Haji Badruddin; as well as with the Office of Iraqi Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH the head of the High Commission of Hajj and Umrah, Sheikh Dr Khaled Abather al-Attiyah; and their entourages.

HH the Minister of Haj prefaced the meetings with an overview of the efforts of the KSA, led by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz; His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Deputy Crown Prince. Such efforts include the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques, the Masaa (the way between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hills), and the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); theHoly Sites train, the Two Holy Mosques train project, and continual improvement of efforts to streamline and secure Hajj and umrah pilgrimages. He also stressed the importance of following the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including promoting pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the Holy Lands, compliance with transportation programmes in order to maintain pilgrims' safety, and the early expiration of air transport and housing contracts.

Logistics matters discussed including pilgrims' housing and transportation, ritual and procedural aspects; the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate; and the mutual cooperation in respect of umrah pilgrims services.

For their part, the minister of Brunei and the Iraqi minister admired the developments and achievements by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' government, in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites, including the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques, the Mataf, and Al-Masjid An-Nabawī (Prophet's Mosque); and the Holy Sites train. The ministers have also commented on bilateral relationships.

In addition, both the ministers have praised the technical works of the Ministry of Haj, and the pilgrims' electronic portal. They also recognised the organisation and cooperation of the Ministry of Haj, and all related authorities.

Brunei and Iraq will send nearly 400 and 25,000 pilgrims respectively this year.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the meetings with the Pilgrim Affairs Offices of Afghanistan and Palestine

Ministry of Haj, KSA conducts coordination meetings with multiple Ministry of Interior sectors

In response to directions from HRH Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior, and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, the KSA Haj Affairs Undersecretary of the Ministry of Haj, Dr Hussein Al-Sharif, met with various sectors of the Ministry of Interior on preparations for Hajj 2016 (1437).

HE Dr Al-Sharif met with the National Information Center, the Civil Status Department, and Passports Department (Jawazat) of the KSA to streamline cooperation on issuing Hajj permits for domestic pilgrims. The meeting tackled ways to facilitate procedures in the light of the domestic pilgrims electronic portal, which will enable citizens and residents to make bookings online, at any time and anywhere they have an online connection.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Ministry of Haj, KSA's drive to go paperless

Ministry of Haj in KSA goes paperless

The Ministry of Haj in KSA has abandoned paper with the recently released a administrative communication software Rassel. The move is aimed at converting paper-based transactions into electronic transactions, making the Ministry of Haj paperless, and facilitating the migration to e-government.

The Minister of Haj Dr Bandar Hajjar said the development could improve services provided to Hajj and umrah pilgrims and visitors, and the work of organisations dealing with Hajj affairs. HE added that the Ministry of Haj has completed the linking of all its branches in Saudi Arabia online.

He noted that the software completes the external electronic linking system that links the Ministry of Haj with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, umrah companies and establishments, and nearly 3,000 travel companies and agencies around the world. The Minister of Haj has added that the Ministry is currently working on completing the foreign pilgrims electronic portal that links all Offices of Pilgrims Affairs with the Ministry.

The Minister of Haj concluded with emphasising that the Ministry's expanded use of technology is due to its compliance with the directions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz, and the direction towards paperless communications.

Engineer Hisham Hammami, the Advisor to the Minister and CIO, revealed that the IT department and the Ministry's Computer Works Facilitation Committee completed the implementation in record time. He said the ministry is also part of
the Government Electronic Transactions' Program Yossr which facilitates Ministry works, and integrates them with systems at all ministries, governmental sectors, companies and establishments working in Hajj and umrah affairs. 

Future plans for Hajj include wearables, videos on mobile phones

Starting from the following Hajj season, the Ministry of Haj of KSA plans to issue pilgrims with electronic bracelets that contain information such as their Hajj delegation, health status, and local residence details. The data can be accessed at any time. 

The information was shared during an interview between the Okaz publication and KSA Haj Minister Dr Bandar Hajjar, available on the Ministry of Haj website. Dr Bandar further disclosed that the following season will also see the Ministry debut electronic applications for Haj services. 

In addition, the Ministry of Haj will, starting from the next season, broadcast awareness videos on the pilgrims' mobile phones. Such videos will include those promoting awareness about the rituals, essential security procedures, and safety messages, Dr Bandar said. 

The Ministry is currently studying the possibility of establishing a new organisational entity that includes all umrah companies (48 currently); in order to represent them before the Ministry and other competent authorities. 

"We have discussed establishing the proposed entity with some of these companies' owners, and they highly welcomed the proposal," he said.

KSA's Ministry of Haj meets with delegations from Afghanistan, Palestine on Hajj 2016

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. HH the Minister of
Haj, Dr Bandar Hajjar met with the Office of
Afghan Pilgrims delegation.

The Ministry of Haj in KSA is currently carrying out a plan to coordinate with Hajj Office delegations regarding the arrangements and requirements of their pilgrims coming to perform Hajj 2016 (1437).

As part of the plan, HH the Minister of Haj, Dr Bandar Hajjar met with the Office of Afghan Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH the Minister of Guidance and Hajj, Faidh Mohammed Othmani; and the Office of Palestinian Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH Sheikh Yusuf Ida'is Ismael; in order to discuss the topics related to organising their pilgrims' affairs, their housing and transportation, and ritual and procedural aspects.

HH the Minister of Haj prefaced each meeting with a focus on the efforts of the KSA, led by The Two Holy Mosques Custodian, HH the Crown Prince, and HH the Deputy Crown Prince, to simplify and streamline each Hajj. Such efforts include the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques, the Masaa (the way between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hills), and the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); the execution of the Holy Sites train, the Two Holy Mosques train project, and the government's continuous efforts to make the way of Hajj and umrah pilgrims easier. 

He stressed the importance of the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including promoting pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the Holy Lands, compliance with transportation programs in order to maintain pilgrims' safety, and the early expiration of air transport and housing contracts.

During the meeting, organisation of pilgrim affairs for Hajj 2016 were dicussed, including housing and transportation, ritual and procedural aspects, the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate; and the mutual cooperation in Umrah pilgrims' services.

Both the Afghan and the Palestinian ministers lauded the continuous improvements provided by the Saudi government, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites. These achievements include the expansions of Two Holy Mosques, the Mataf, and Al-Masjid an-Nabawī (Prophet's Mosque); and the Holy Sites train. These projects have enabled pilgrims to perform their rituals more easily. 

In addition, both the ministers have admired the technical works of the Ministry of Haj, as well as the pilgrim's electronic portal, which is considered a great development in pilgrims' service to facilitate their affairs. They also praised the organisation and cooperation of the Ministry of Haj, and all related authorities.

Pilgrims numbers are nearly 24,000 for Afghanistan and 6,600 for Palestine respectively.

Interested?

View the videos of the Afghan and Palestinian ministers commenting on the achievements of the Saudi government with regards to the Hajj (Arabic).

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Pakistani meeting with the Ministry of Haj on Hajj 2016

KSA's Minister of Haj meets Pakistani Minister of Religious Affairs

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. HH Dr Bandar
Hajjar, Minister of Haj, has met with HH the
Pakistani Federal Minister for Religious
Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and
his entourage.

HH Dr Bandar Hajjar, Minister of Haj, has met with HH the Pakistani Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and his entourage. In this meeting, which is part of the Ministry of Haj's annual programme to receive heads of Offices of Pilgrims Affairs delegations, preparations for Hajj 2016 (1437) were discussed. These included the arrangements and requirements of Hajj pilgrims, their housing and transportation, and the services provided by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate.

HH the Minister of Haj has stated major projects in Makkah, the Holy Sites, and Madinah are the priority in KSA to serve pilgrims, and are unprecedented in history in terms of space, quality, and completion time. The projects include the expansions of Two Holy Mosques, the Masaa (the way between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hills), and the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); construction of the Jamaraat facility, as well as public transport infrastructure including roads and tunnels, the Holy Sites train, the Two Holy Mosques train, and the new airports in Jeddah and Madinah.

Dr Bandar emphasised to the Pakistani delegation the importance of promoting pilgrim awareness on rituals, health, security, and safety awareness; and full compliance with the ministry's instructions regarding the transportation programme in order to maintain the pilgrims' safety.

HH the Pakistani minister said he appreciated what the Saudi government, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, provides of services devoted to Islam, Muslims, and the Two Holy Mosques; and its serving Hajj and umrah pilgrims. He also praised the achievements at the Two Holy Mosques, and the Holy Sites.

HH also lauded the technical works of the Ministry of Haj, the foreign pilgrims' electronic portal, the organisation and cooperation of the Ministry of Haj, and all related authorities.

The Pakistani pilgrim quota is nearly 144,000 this year.

Interested?

View the video of the Pakistani minister commenting on the achievements of the Saudi government with regards to the Hajj (Urdu).

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Lebanese meeting with the Ministry of Haj on Hajj 2016

Lebanese pilgrim affairs delegation discusses pilgrim arrangements for 2016 with Ministry of Haj, KSA

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. HE the KSA
Haj Affairs Undersecretary Dr Hussein Bin
Nasser Al-Sharif has met with the
Lebanese Republic pilgrims' affairs delegation.

HE the KSA Haj Affairs Undersecretary Dr Hussein Bin Nasser Al-Sharif has met with the Lebanese Republic pilgrims' affairs delegation, headed by Ibrahim Ritany.

The two parties discussed services provided to Lebanese pilgrims during Hajj 2016 (1437) and checked the arrangements to receive the pilgrims at the Ka'abah, to optimise services, and ease the performance of Hajj rituals.

The Ministry of Haj Undersecretary noted that the ministry is keen to implement the electronic portal for Hajj 2016 as it has contributed greatly to pilgrim services in past years. In addition, Dr Al-Sharif stressed the importance of compliance with the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including continuing the promotion of pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the KSA, following transportation programs and scheduled timings for the "Stoning of the devil" ritual at the Jamaraat bridge, as well as registering the contracts of pilgrims' housing in accommodation licensed by competent authorities.

In their turn, the delegations' heads have praised the integrated services, provided every year by the Saudi government to pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites; the expansions at the Two Holy Mosques, including the expansion of the Mataf (the area surrounding the Ka'abah); and the continuous achievements executed to serve pilgrims, most notably the Holy Sites train, and the Two-Holy Mosques train project currently underway.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Omani meeting with the Ministry of Haj on Hajj 2016

KSA's Ministry Of Haj Undersecretary meets Office of Qatar Pilgrims Affairs Executive President

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. The Office
of Qatar Pilgrims delegation with officials
from the Ministry of Haj, KSA.

HE the Haj Affairs Undersecretary of the KSA, Dr Hussein Bin Nasser Al-Sharif, has met HH the Office of Qatar Pilgrims Affairs Executive President, Dr Abdulsalam Ali Al Qahtani, and his entourage.

The meeting is part of the Ministry of Haj's plans to coordinate with Offices of Pilgrim Affairs to check the arrangements and requirements of their pilgrims for Hajj 2016 (1437).

Dr Al-Sharif highlighted efforts and achievements of the Saudi government at the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites to serve Hajj pilgrims. He also emphasised the importance of promoting pilgrims' awareness before arriving on Hajj rituals, the use of the electronic portal, compliance with transportation plans and schedules, as well as coordination with the ministry transportation units in order to maintain safety.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Bahraini and Syrian delegations to the Ministry of Haj

Ministry of Haj, KSA holds discussions with pilgrims' affairs delegations from Bahrain, Syria

HE the Haj Affairs Undersecretary of the KSA, Dr Hussein Al-Sharif, has met with the Bahrain pilgrims' affairs delegation headed by Sheikh Adnan bin Abdullah Al-Qattan, the Supreme Court of Appeal President, and the Bahraini delegation head; as well as with the Syrian delegation headed by Yahya Maktabi, the Secretary-general of The National Coalition, and the Haj Council head, and their entourages.

During the two meetings, services to be provided for their respective pilgrims in 2016 were discussed as well as the optimum arrangements and preparations to receive the pilgrims.

The Ministry of Haj Undersecretary touched on the potential effectiveness of the electronic portal during the Hajj season this year, as the portal has proven to provide significant benefits in past years. He has stressed the importance of compliance with the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including continuing the ongoing emphasis on building pilgrims' awareness on following transportation programs and scheduled timings on the Jamaraat bridge for the 'stoning of the devil' ritual, as well as of the registration of contracts in licensed accommodation.

The respective delegations heads praised the integrated services provided annually by the Saudi government to pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites; the enormous expansions at the Two Holy Mosques, including the expansion of the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); and the ongoing infrastructure work to serve pilgrims, most notably the holy sites train, and the Two-Holy Mosques train project currently underway.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Uzbek visit to the Ministry of Haj

More than 5,000 Uzbek pilgrims to go for Hajj 2016

HH the Minister of Haj, Dr Bandar Hajjar, has met the Uzbek delegation headed by HH Dr Artig Beck, the Minister of Religious Affairs in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, HH Dr Hajjar stated that the KSA has been continuously establishing major projects and achievements in order to serve the Hajj and umrah pilgrims, as well as other visitors. HH discussed the early preparations for Hajj 2016 (1437) and the plans adopted to coordinate with Offices of Pilgrims Affairs. He also checked the arrangements and requirements of the Uzbek pilgrims, their housing and transportation, and the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate.

Dr Hajjar has emphasised the importance of promoting Uzbek pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the KSA, and full compliance with the ministry's instructions regarding the transport programme in order to maintain pilgrims' safety. This is crucial as the KSA receives annually pilgrims from 180 countries, speaking about 200 languages, with different cultural, social, and sectarian backgrounds.

The Uzbek minister expressed appreciation for all that the KSA government, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, provides of services, facilities, and achievements at the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites, in addition to the facilitation provided to them and their pilgrims during last Hajj season.

The minister also praised the organisation, cooperation and technical work of the Ministry of Haj.

The quota for Uzbek pilgrims this year is nearly 5,200.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Thai visit to the Ministry of Haj

Pakistan updates report on Hajj 2015

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony of Pakistan, which is responsible for the Hajj pilgrimage beyond Pakistan, has updated its findings for Hajj 2015 on 28 January 2016.

There were a total of 190 pilgrim deaths in 2015, partly due to the incidents of the crane at the Haram and the Mina tragedy. In December, the ministry had listed a total of 185 deaths.

The updated totals are:

Pilgrims who passed away in Mina: 80 (82 in December)
Iqama holders - those who were already working in KSA - who passed away in Mina: 21 (17 in December)
Pilgrims who passed away from the crane incident in the Haram: 6 (no change)
Iqama holders who passed away in the Haram: 6 (no change)
Pilgrims who passed away from natural causes: 102 (97 reported in December)
Iqama holders who passed away from natural causes: 7 (no change)

A further two (formerly three) pilgrims are listed as missing after the Mina incident, and two (formerly four) iqama holders.

Two pilgrims injured in Mina were also listed in December. That number is now zero as of 20 January 2016.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016

Ministry of Haj inspects key venues for umrah in KSA

KSA's Ministry of Haj has inspected key venues in Makkah and Madinah to ensure that minor Hajj rituals can be undertaken smoothly by umrah performers.

The ministry carried out on-site visits for updates on preparations, follow-ups and assessments of services delivered for umrah activities at Guidance Centers about the Two Holy Mosques in both cities, at the new head office of the Ministry in Makkah, and at the reception area for umrah performers at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Ministry of Commerce & Industry, KSA shuts down detergent counterfeiting operation

Source: MCI.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MCI) in KSA has confiscated some 150,000 items in an unlicensed plant at a farm east of Medina. Labourers were making detergents to be sold locally as being from Turkey. The site was shut down and those responsible are being investigated.

Inspectors visited the farm after a tip-off and found large quantities of raw materials that could be used to prepare different types of soaps, washing-up liquid and automotive windshield cleaners, as well as containers which identified the country of origin as Turkey. The site also failed hygiene, safety, storage and packaging regulations.

The MCI has been conducting inspection campaigns on factories, plants and warehouses in various parts of KSA to verify their authenticity and to ensure the absence of fraud. The MCI further calls on all consumers to report complaints and observations via the toll free hotline number 1900.