Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah recently completed a tour of the Balkans, visiting Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The purpose of his visit was to discuss ways to enhance the Umrah experience for pilgrims from these nations, with a focus on facilitating Hajj and Umrah for Muslims worldwide in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives. During his tour, Al-Rabiah met with key leaders from each country, including Albania’s President Bajram Begaj, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, North Macedonia’s Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, and Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
One of the major highlights of the tour was the launch of the Nusuk platform in Albania. This platform is designed to streamline the Umrah procedures and enhance services for pilgrims, making it easier and more efficient for Muslims from Albania to embark on this religious journey. Additionally, an air transport agreement was signed with Kosovo, aiming to improve travel connectivity for pilgrims, which will make it more convenient for them to reach the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their pilgrimage.
The discussions during Al-Rabiah’s tour focused on ways to improve the overall pilgrim experience, with a particular emphasis on aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives. These initiatives aim to enrich the pilgrim experience by providing better services and facilities for those undertaking the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. By collaborating with leaders from the Balkans, Saudi Arabia hopes to strengthen its ties with these nations and make it easier for their citizens to perform their religious duties in the Kingdom.
The visit also aimed to strengthen the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Balkans, particularly in the field of religious tourism. By enhancing the Umrah experience for pilgrims from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, Saudi Arabia is not only fulfilling its role as the custodian of the two holy mosques but also creating opportunities for economic and cultural exchange between the two regions. This tour serves as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and promoting religious tourism.
Overall, Minister Al-Rabiah’s tour of the Balkans was a success, with discussions focusing on streamlining Umrah procedures, enhancing services for pilgrims, and improving travel connectivity for Muslims from these nations. By launching the Nusuk platform in Albania and signing an air transport agreement with Kosovo, Saudi Arabia is taking concrete steps to make the Umrah experience more accessible and convenient for pilgrims from the Balkans. These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching the pilgrim experience and expanding opportunities for religious tourism.
