Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted a gathering at Mina Palace to mark Eid Al-Adha, welcoming senior officials, religious leaders, military commanders, and Hajj representatives. The event, held on behalf of King Salman, was an opportunity to extend Eid greetings to the Saudi populace, residents, and pilgrims. The crown prince commended the dedication of military personnel, security forces, government employees, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and success of this year’s pilgrimage.
Emphasizing the importance of serving the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites, the crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to maintaining security and stability. The gathering included senior officials, ministers, representatives from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and scout groups involved in the Hajj operations. Speaking on behalf of the security services, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami highlighted the effective execution of this year’s Hajj security plans, noting the country’s ongoing investment in pilgrim services that has improved safety and operational efficiency.
This year, Saudi Arabia is hosting over 1.7 million pilgrims, with more than 1.54 million traveling from abroad and around 160,000 participating from within the Kingdom. Authorities reported an increase in pilgrim numbers compared to last year, facilitated by expanded infrastructure, digital services, and enhanced crowd-management systems at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The Makkah Route Initiative also saw an expansion, allowing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to complete immigration and customs procedures before leaving their home countries, thus streamlining their arrivals.
To support the Hajj operations and ensure the safety of pilgrims, over 441,000 personnel, including security officers, healthcare workers, transport coordinators, and emergency responders, have been deployed. This comprehensive deployment underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing a secure and efficient pilgrimage experience.
In a separate gesture, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchanged Eid greetings with leaders across the Islamic world, expressing their hopes for ongoing peace, stability, and prosperity among Muslim nations. This exchange further highlights Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic engagement and its role in fostering unity across the Islamic community.
