1.8 million Hajj e-visas have been granted by Saudi Arabia, according to the deputy minister for Umrah and Hajj, Dr Abdulfattah Mashat, for the current Hajj season in 2023. Dr. Mashat declared at a news conference held by the Makkah chapter of the Saudi Journalists Association on Saturday that security, safety, and health are the three factors that determine success.
The Hajj management and organisational efforts, he continued, create the right atmosphere for the pilgrims to conduct the rites conveniently and pleasantly. Asserting that the number of pilgrims was restricted to 60,000, all of whom were from inside the Kingdom, Dr. Mashat stated that the greatest issue the Ministry faced in 1442 Hijri was the spread of the coronavirus.
He emphasised the difficulty of creating a suitable atmosphere for travellers in the midst of such circumstances through a coordinated system of multiple agencies to safeguard the pilgrims from the pandemic. The Ministry's preparations for the future Hajj season, according to Dr. Mashat, begin with the conclusion of the current one. He further emphasised that these preparations are connected to other pertinent areas.
Six months before the start of the season, the Ministry created digital platforms for domestic pilgrims to register for the Hajj, according to Dr. Mashat. He pointed out that because pilgrims make their journeys to Makkah and Madinah at various times and use a variety of land, sea, and air routes, the number of pilgrims is not complete until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
The deputy Hajj and Umrah minister also commended technology as a lifeline for the Ministry across all of its operational domains. Additionally, he pointed out that five locations had been designated for the transportation of pilgrims from Mina to the Grand Mosque along predetermined routes.
