Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH— Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah held a phone call with head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Dr. Alireza Bayat on Sunday.

During the call, Al-Rabiah reassured Dr. Bayat the safety and smooth implementation of the pilgrims' transfer plan at all stages of their return, from their departure from Makkah and Madinah through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah to the Jadidat Arar border crossing.

Dr. Bayat expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the King and the Crown Prince for the care and attention extended to the Iranian pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom.

He also appreciated the dedication of the minister and his continuous follow-up to facilitate their procedures and ensure their comfort at all stages of Hajj.

The Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s initiative to ensure safe return of the Iranian pilgrims comes in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and based on the recommendation of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to facilitate all the needs of Iranian pilgrims and ensure the provision of all necessary services until conditions are in place for their safe return to their homeland to join their families.

The first group of Iranian pilgrims departed on Sunday, as part of the implementation plan overseen by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and monitored by a dedicated operations room that provided care and services to the pilgrims until the moment of their departure.