Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports announced that a total of 1,180,306 pilgrims arrived from abroad through the Kingdom’s air, land, and sea entry points by the end of Tuesday, May 27.

It stated that out of this, 1,115,663 pilgrims arrived through airports, 60,365 via land border crossings, and 4,278 through seaports.

The directorate also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to facilitating entry procedures for pilgrims by equipping all international ports with advanced technologies operated by highly trained, multilingual personnel.

In a related development, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has announced the launch of a 24/7 toll-free helpline (8002451000) to respond to pilgrims’ inquiries and provide religious edicts (fatwas) related to Hajj. The service provides religious guidance in 10 languages: Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Urdu, Indonesian, Bengali, Hausa, Amharic, and Hindi.

It is part of the ministry’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the performance of Hajj rituals in accordance with Islamic rules. Through direct communication with a select group of qualified scholars and professional translators, the helpline ensures pilgrims receive reliable religious support.

The ministry has urged all pilgrims to make full use of this complimentary service, underscoring the Kingdom’s dedication to delivering the highest standard of care.