JEDDAH ( WNAM MONITORING): Saudi authorities have begun early preparations for the Hajj season, launching coordinated initiatives aimed at improving service quality, crowd management and spiritual services for pilgrims.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has inspected the readiness of camps in Mina during field visits to assess service levels ahead of the pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Rabiah said preparations started early this year, contributing to improved camp readiness and operational efficiency through coordination among relevant entities.
He noted the introduction of electronic systems to monitor pilgrims’ movement and regulate entry and exit from camps.
Signage has also been installed at entrances and exits, indicating departure and return times along with other instructions.
The measures aim to support crowd management and enhance pilgrim safety, in line with efforts to advance the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.
In a parallel effort, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has announced the completion of preparations at miqat sites to receive pilgrims.
The commission said prayer areas at the miqat locations can accommodate more than 6,600 men and around 3,200 women.
Thousands of parking spaces and hundreds of restrooms have been provided to support pilgrim movement and services during their journey.
Additional improvements include directional signage, seasonal kiosks at key sites, strengthened staffing and expanded partnerships to support water services.
The commission said the operational system reflected its efforts to deliver services that helped pilgrims perform their rituals with ease and comfort.
Efforts to improve service standards have also included human capital development. The Institute of Research, Studies and Consulting Services at Umm Al-Qura University, under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has launched a training program for workers serving pilgrims.
The program includes courses in communication, crowd management and crisis response, as well as modules on cultural awareness and service quality.
It has drawn participation from government, private sector and nonprofit organizations, reflecting a coordinated effort to serve visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
Spiritual preparation is also part of the Kingdom’s early planning. President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais has inaugurated a scientific course at the Grand Mosque as part of programs preparing for Hajj.
Al-Sudais said the course aimed to enhance pilgrims’ religious awareness and help them perform their rituals with understanding based on Islamic legal evidence and principles of jurisprudence, supporting their spiritual experience.
The lessons are broadcast via digital platforms, translated into several languages and made accessible through QR codes, allowing wider access for pilgrims and visitors.
