Riyadh, May 14: More than 1.5 million Muslims from across the world, including around 175,000 pilgrims from India, are expected to perform Hajj this year, Saudi authorities announced during a joint media briefing by five ministers on Wednesday.
The ministers said the Kingdom has completed extensive preparations to host the annual Islamic pilgrimage, which is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and obligatory for every able Muslim at least once in their lifetime.
Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said the Kingdom has deployed advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence systems and full 5G network coverage, to facilitate smooth movement and services for pilgrims.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser said over 1.5 million pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia are expected to participate in the pilgrimage this year.
He said more than three million airline seats have been allocated through six airports connecting the Kingdom with over 300 airports worldwide via 104 air carriers.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said more than 860,000 pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom ahead of the pilgrimage.
According to the Saudi authorities, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has prepared over 20,000 mosques and distributed more than two million copies of the Holy Qur’an as gifts from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Health Minister Fahad Al Jalajel said 20,000 hospital beds have been allocated for pilgrims, including 3,800 beds in the holy sites. He added that 25 urgent care centres have also been established.
The minister said the emergency response network includes more than 3,000 ambulances and 11 air ambulances, supported by 7,700 paramedics and over 52,000 health practitioners.
Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said authorities have implemented an advanced infrastructure network covering 4.6 million square metres between the holy sites and deployed more than 88,000 sanitation units operating round the clock.
Saleh Al-Jasser further said maintenance work has been completed on more than 6,000 kilometres of road networks around the holy sites. He added that 3,000 buses have been deployed to transport pilgrims from their residences to the Grand Mosque, while another 5,000 buses will operate shuttle services during the pilgrimage.
Categories: The Muslim Times