Hajj and Umrah

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Deputy Emir of Makkah Region inaugurates “Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2025” in Jeddah 

Jeddah (UNA) - Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, inaugurated yesterday, Monday, the activities of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in its fourth edition under the slogan "The Road to the Rituals", in the "Jeddah Superdome"; organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Guests of God Service Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030; and continues during the period from January 13-16; enhancing the quality of services provided to the Guests of God, and building bridges of cooperation with the offices of Hajj affairs and Hajj service providers.
Upon his arrival at the venue, the Royal Anthem was played, and at the beginning of the ceremony, the attendees listened to the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God protect him - which was delivered on his behalf by His Highness the Deputy Emir of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region; the text of which is as follows:
In the name of God the Merciful
Your Highnesses
Your Eminences, Your Eminences and Your Excellencies
Ministers of Religious Affairs
Heads of Hajj Affairs Offices
Honorable guests
Peace, mercy and blessings of God
I am pleased to welcome you all to your second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am honored to convey to you the greetings of His Majesty the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, patron of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition in its (fourth) edition for the year 2025 AD. I have been honored to deliver a speech on behalf of His Highness at this conference.
Honorable guests
Since its establishment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been proud to be honored by God Almighty to serve the Two Holy Mosques, take care of the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, ensure their security and safety, and provide everything that facilitates their performance of the rituals and provides them with comfort and reassurance.
The development projects witnessed by the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites come within the framework of the Kingdom’s keenness to exert all efforts and harness capabilities to improve Hajj and Umrah services. The objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 also paid great attention to serving the guests of God from the time they arrive until they depart safely to their homes.
The Kingdom, God willing and with His help, will continue to perform this noble mission, sensing the greatness of the responsibility and the honor of service.
Finally, we appreciate your presence and participation, and we ask God Almighty to grant us success in this conference to serve the guests of God from all parts of the world.
Peace, mercy and blessings of God
Then, His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the guests to the place of revelation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pointing out that this version of the conference is attended by 280 exhibitors from various sectors and more than 100 speakers; with the presence of local and international service providers and those interested in Hajj from 95 countries around the world; in addition to the presence of 300 entities providing their services with fair competition; it also enjoys the participation of a number of ministers and ambassadors, and major companies from local and international service providers; amid expectations of attracting more than 150 thousand visitors this year, and signing 250 agreements.
His Excellency announced the launch of the updated version of the Nusuk application to be, from today onwards, an integrated experience that includes 100 additional services, the implementation of the project to develop the experience of visiting the Holy Mosque, and the qualification and training of a distinguished human cadre that speaks multiple languages, with the facilitation of booking appointments electronically, as 50 groups are being booked daily thanks to technical solutions that organize and accelerate entry and exit; which resulted in an increase in the number of visitors to the Holy Mosque from 4 million in 2022, to more than 13 million visitors in 2024, and the visitor satisfaction rate jumped from 57% in 2022 to 81% in 2024, indicating that the number of guests of God from outside the Kingdom for the year 2024 AD will reach more than 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers, which is a distinguished achievement and joyful progress that comes as a result of God’s grace and the keenness of a wise leadership that spares no effort for every respondent whose goal is mercy and forgiveness, and supplications that touch the sky with supplication and sincerity; Noting the continuation of development and keenness to make the guest of God the first priority, God willing.
He added that to enhance the service of the guests of God, 2500 training programs were provided in multiple languages, benefiting 120 employees; as soon as the pilgrim leaves his home, a series of services and facilities begin, so that he returns with an unforgettable experience “from the idea to the memory”; the ministry also expanded the Makkah Road Initiative by 322,901 pilgrims in the last season 1445 AH from 7 countries to 700 pilgrims since the launch of the initiative from 8 countries, in addition to the fact that the number of companies that provided services to pilgrims did not exceed six companies three years ago; today it has become 35 companies.
After that, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, delivered the speech of the guests of honor, in which he emphasized the exceptional services provided by the Kingdom to the guests of God, which are added with high measures to the record of qualitative Islamic work that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejoices in within the framework of the honor of serving the best delegation for the best place; in an extension of a great historical entitlement undertaken by its wise leadership; a great service to the Two Holy Mosques and diligent care for their visitors.
He said: The Muslim World League has been with the honorable gathering of pilgrims to the House of God for more than 60 years; at its headquarters in Mina, Arafat and the Sacred Monument; and the delegation of the League’s pilgrims, who are the senior scholars of the Islamic nation, bear witness to the goodness and facilitation that God Almighty has brought about at the hands of the wise leadership in a series of services that are renewed annually.
He stressed that the Hajj missions should carry out their duty in educating their pilgrims about what is required of them regarding their rituals, behavior, and the systems that have been put in place to serve them and ensure their safety, and that this should be done through prior awareness. There are a number of countries that have undertaken this duty and have been examples that are pointed out and praised. He called upon God to reward the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Crown Prince for the precious and valuable things they provide to serve the Guests of God.
Then, His Highness the Deputy Emir of Makkah Al-Mukarramah witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements and the inauguration of major projects.
At the end of the ceremony, His Highness the Deputy Emir of Makkah Al-Mukarramah received a souvenir from His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and then the winners of the “Labytm” award, partners of success, and those distinguished in serving the guests of God were honored.
It is worth noting that the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will continue for four days, with expectations of attracting 100 visitors. The conference is the most prominent in providing quality and innovative services dedicated to the guests of God, as it showcases the ideas, products and projects of innovators and service-providing companies, and hosts decision-makers and thought leaders with the aim of finding effective solutions, and presenting successful stories and experiences in developing the services provided to the guests of God.
The conference will also witness the participation of more than 120 speakers, leaders and experts, to exchange experiences and discuss ambitious ideas; as an international platform that aims to develop the service system for the guests of God by empowering innovators, entrepreneurs and service providers and motivating them to provide products and projects that contribute to improving the Hajj experience for the guests of God from everywhere.
Through more than 75 dialogue sessions, it aims to discuss aspects of cooperation in developing services with relevant parties, and to seek to form a clear vision to create a tangible impact locally and globally using innovative methods to provide effective solutions in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in providing everything new and anticipating the future of services provided to pilgrims.
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