The Makkah Route Initiative was recently launched at the Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey, making it the second airport in the country to implement this initiative. The launch ceremony was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Turkey Fahd Abu Al-Nasr, Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin, and Vice President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Hilmi Karsli. The initiative, which was introduced by the Ministry of Interior in 2017, aims to simplify and improve the Hajj journey for pilgrims. So far, 617,756 pilgrims from seven countries have benefited from this initiative, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Under the Makkah Route Initiative, pilgrims from beneficiary countries will be provided with high-quality services when arriving in the Kingdom to perform the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. This includes the issuance of electronic Hajj visas, collection of biometric data, and completion of necessary procedures in their home countries in a simplified manner. The General Directorate of Passports will ensure that health requirements are met before entering the Kingdom, and luggage will be coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements. Pilgrims will then be transported directly to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah via dedicated bus routes, with their luggage transported separately by partner agencies.
The Makkah Route Initiative is part of the Pilgrim Experience Program, which is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This initiative, implemented for the sixth year in collaboration with various ministries and authorities, aims to enhance the overall experience of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom for Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is working in coordination with the ministries of foreign affairs, health, and Hajj and Umrah, as well as other government agencies such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Directorate of Passports, and Elm Company to ensure the successful implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline the process of Hajj for pilgrims from beneficiary countries, providing them with a more efficient and convenient experience when traveling to the Kingdom. By issuing electronic Hajj visas and collecting biometric data in advance, the initiative aims to reduce waiting times and simplify the entry procedures for pilgrims. Additionally, the coding and sorting of luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements will help expedite the process of getting pilgrims to their designated accommodations in Makkah and Madinah.
Overall, the Makkah Route Initiative is a significant step forward in enhancing the Hajj journey for pilgrims from beneficiary countries. By providing high-quality services and streamlining the entry procedures, the initiative aims to make the pilgrimage experience more convenient and efficient for all those participating in this sacred journey. Through collaboration with various ministries and authorities, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is working to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative and to provide pilgrims with a memorable and rewarding experience during their time in the Kingdom. With the support of partner agencies and dedicated transportation routes, pilgrims can look forward to a smooth and hassle-free journey when performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
