Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) announced that a total of 755,344 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 1446H through the Kingdom’s air, land, and sea entry points as of Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

According to the directorate, 725,297 pilgrims arrived via airports, 27,225 through land crossings, and 2,822 pilgrims entered by sea.

Jawazat affirmed that all resources have been mobilized to facilitate the arrival procedures for pilgrims.

It has deployed qualified multilingual staff and cutting-edge technical equipment at all international entry points to ensure smooth and efficient processing.

This year, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman will host 1,000 pilgrims from the families of martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded among the Palestinian people at his own expense to perform Hajj. This is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, being implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.

The Saudi authorities have completed all the foolproof and flawless arrangements to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comforts. Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal made on Tuesday a comprehensive inspection tour to assess the Kingdom’s operational readiness for Hajj 2025, reviewing projects and systems aimed at ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of pilgrims.

On his part, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah inspected on Tuesday a number of new projects implemented by Kidana Development Company to improve and develop the environment of the holy sites. These included a new emergency hospital in Mina with a capacity of 200 beds, 71 emergency centers along the pedestrian paths in the holy sites, and shading and cooling the squares surrounding the Namirah Mosque.

Minister of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser launched on Monday a number of innovative initiatives for the Hajj Season of 2025, with the aim of enhancing the comfort of pilgrims at the holy sites. The inauguration included the expansion of the Flexible Rubber Roads and Road Cooling Initiatives, in addition to two new initiatives: planting trees and improving the environment on flexible rubber roads, and a path serving people with disabilities.

The eastern squares of the Jamarat facility, where Hajj pilgrims will perform the stoning ritual, in Mina witnessed the installation of 200 mist fans to cool the air during the Hajj season.