Riyadh Expects ‘Safe’ Hajj Pilgrimage
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the chief of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, expressed his optimism for this year's Hajj season on Al-Ekhbariya TV. He said the pilgrimage will be "exceptional, distinguished and safe", thanks to the preparations.
The kingdom is said to be ready to welcome more than two million faithful Muslims who will flock to Mecca, the most sacred city in Islam, to perform the Hajj ritual. This is a significant increase from the previous three years, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced Saudi Arabia to limit the number of pilgrims for health reasons.
In 2022, nearly 900,000 pilgrims were able to visit Mecca for Hajj, according to official data. In 2021, only 60,000 pilgrims from within the kingdom were allowed to participate, while in 2020, the number was reduced to 10,000.
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and a lifelong duty for every Muslim who can afford it. It involves a journey to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure that is the focal point of worship in Islam.
Source: Agencies
