Deputy Emir of the Makkah region, Prince Saud bin Mishal, recently conducted an inspection tour of the Holy Sites in preparation for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The tour was part of the directives of the wise leadership and under the supervision of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Emir of Makkah and advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. During the tour, Prince Saud visited various government and private agencies, departments, and facilities to ensure they are ready to receive the guests of God during Hajj.
The tour began at Arafat, where Prince Saud inspected the shelter centers in the holy sites. There are four shelter centers in total, two of which are in Arafat with a capacity of 9,300 pilgrims each, and Al-Muaisem shelter center, accommodating 6,000 pilgrims. Additionally, the deputy emir visited three service buildings and the shelter center in Muzdalifah, which can house 28,000 pilgrims across five buildings. He also inspected model pilgrims’ camps in Arafat and observed the furnishings before moving on to the Jabal Al-Rahma area to learn about the project to enhance the surrounding areas.
Next, Prince Saud visited Muzdalifah and inspected the project to humanize the disembarkation stations, increasing the capacity to accommodate more pilgrims. He was briefed on the initiative to provide green spaces, mainly carried out by the Kidana Development Company. The deputy emir also learned about the first phase of the Mashaer Path project, which aims to create environmentally friendly spaces for pedestrians, especially the elderly and people with special needs, to facilitate movement and provide necessary services for the guests of God.
In Mina, Prince Saud inspected the Kidana Al-Wadi development project, designed to accommodate around 37,000 pilgrims. The project was implemented with the latest technical specifications and taking into account the urban identity of the holy sites. The deputy emir concluded his tour by visiting the government departments complex, which does not directly serve the guests of God but is prepared to provide services to the government system. The complex, covering an area of 1.1 million square meters, can accommodate more than 10,000 people and has helped save about 23 percent of Mina’s area to host a larger number of pilgrims.
Prince Saud’s inspection tour highlights the meticulous preparations and investments being made to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for the pilgrims during the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage. The development projects aim to enhance the infrastructure, accommodation, and services in the holy sites, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the pilgrimage. The government’s commitment to providing exceptional facilities for the guests of God demonstrates the importance placed on this sacred journey and the well-being of the pilgrims. With continuous improvements and developments, Saudi Arabia strives to offer a memorable and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for all participants.
