Founding Day celebrations sweep Saudi Arabia

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Saudis celebrate Founding Day. (SPA)
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Updated 22 February 2023
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Founding Day celebrations sweep Saudi Arabia

  • Parades, balloon flights and family events highlight 300 years of history

JEDDAH/DHAHRAN/RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is marking its second Founding Day celebrations with events, activities and a four-day holiday. 

Founding Day — celebrated on Feb. 22 to commemorate the country’s founding by Imam Mohammed bin Saud — was declared a national holiday last year following a royal decree by King Salman. 

Cultural and artistic events are taking place across the Kingdom. 

Nationwide competition 

The UN in Saudi Arabia is celebrating Founding Day by launching a photography competition under the theme “People and Property” to highlight the Kingdom’s culture and heritage. 

Organizers suggest images of people wearing regional and traditional attire from different parts of the Kingdom, or of younger and older generations, cultural heritage and modern architecture, or regional landscapes. 

Local photographers have to submit four high-resolution images taken with a digital camera. 

Photographs can be taken in any style or format and can be in black and white or color. For printing purposes, images must fit the required format of 3:2 ratio, in portrait or landscape. The minimum file size is 1MB and the maximum file size is 12MB.

All entries must be original and it is the photographer’s responsibility to ensure that no copyright infringement took place.

Each entry will be judged individually. All entries automatically give the UN in Saudi Arabia the right to reproduce images for publication by the UN. The copyright is retained by the photographer.

Winning photos will be used in the UN annual country report, and a selection of the 10 best images will be showcased on the UN Saudi Arabia website as a virtual exhibition. Winning images uploaded for the contest may appear in UN materials.

The UN World Tourism Organization will award 10 winners a scholarship to attend a course at the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy. The UNWTO will also showcase the best photos at special events, promote them on their social media platforms and some images may appear in their selected publications.

To submit, send an email to: rcs-ksa-commsteam@un.org with full contact information and the images. Visit www.SaudiArabia.UN.org for more details. 

Riyadh 

The Kingdom’s capital rang in Founding Day celebrations with parades and live performances in locations across the city.

Families dressed in traditional attire gathered to watch the colorful parades and performances, while streets filled with celebrations.

Al-Kindi plaza in the Diplomatic Quarter hosted a heritage tent featuring a traditional souq, live performances and local dishes for visitors to sample on Wednesday. The event will continue on Thursday. 

The Ministry of Culture held a musical theater performance highlighting the history of Saudi Arabia in Princess Noura University’s Red Hall. The show premiered on Wednesday and will continue until Feb. 27.

The ministry also hosted a parade at the intersection of Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road and King Salman Road in Riyadh featuring Arabian horses, traditional attire and colorful performances highlighting three centuries of the Kingdom’s history.

Al-Liwan, a cultural event featuring traditional markets, informative seminars and historical theatrical performances, was staged in 14 locations across the Kingdom simultaneously, including Riyadh, Arar, Sakaka, Tabuk, Hail, Buraidah, Dammam, Madinah, Taif, Jeddah, Al-Baha, Abha, Jazan and Najran. 

In Riyadh, it will continue until Friday. 

The historical site Diriyah hosted a Founding Day parade and other family activities in four locations, including JAX Park and Riyadh Skate Park.

One of the most popular family festivities was the Majlis, an educational event spotlighting the heritage and culture of the First Saudi State through lectures, panel discussions and workshops hosted in King Fahd National Library.

Many of the celebrations in Riyadh will continue over the next two days, with some, such as the Princess Noura University’s Red Hall, continuing until Feb. 27.

Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Wohaibi, the first Saudi to become a licensed hot air balloon pilot in the Kingdom, joined the Riyadh celebrations, soaring high above the city in flights on Tuesday and Wednesday from two locations: Marat, a historical town, 200 km northwest of Riyadh, and Al-Khararah, on the southwest side of the city.

Al-Wohaibi described the balloon flights as a gesture of gratitude to his country.

“I have been working on importing this balloon for six months, and the idea came to my mind once my pilot license was issued,” he said. “I felt that I needed to express my love for this country in a different way, so I chose our Founding Day.”

Al-Wohaibi’s balloon was manufactured by the Kubicek Factory in the Czech Republic and is registered in Saudi Arabia with the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

The balloon carried a 32-meter printed banner showing the Founding Day logo in black, with symbols of the Kingdom’s culture, such as the flag, dates, majlis, an Arabian horse and ancient manuscripts. 

The special banner, which took more than a month to prepare, was printed in Europe. 

Al-Wohaibi said that hot air balloons can fly higher than aircraft reaching 63,000 feet. 

“However, due to regulations and oxygen supply, my Founding Day balloon will not exceed 8,000 feet,” he said

Dhahran 

In Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) will hold Founding Day festivities until Friday. 

Visitors will be able to link the Kingdom’s past with the future through a series of cultural programs. 

Around 19 activities will be available at various times, including an Ardha, or Najdi sword dance performance; an interactive outdoor theatrical show telling the story of the Kingdom’s founding; and a film depicting the life of 13-year-old Prince Faisal before he became a king.

The family-friendly day targets visitors of all ages.

The falcon has long been a symbol of glory and national pride in the Kingdom. During the Saudi Falcons’ event, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the different types of falcons and see falconry tools first-hand. 

People are encouraged to dress in traditional attire. There will be plenty of Instagrammable backgrounds to take selfies with and professional photographers will be on hand to capture group photos.

The Children’s Museum and Ithra Library will also offer educational activities introducing youngsters to the country’s national identity and highlighting the history of the Kingdom.

Attendees can join in or simply sit and enjoy the many scheduled outdoor activities outside the Ithra doors.

The center is free to enter and will be open between 4-11 p.m. during the celebrations.

Jeddah 

In Jeddah, Founding Day celebrations are taking place among a number of monuments and heritage buildings that are around 400 years old, according to the Heritage Commission.

The celebration kicked off with the famous folkloric Ardah dance, which is now listed in the UNESCO World Intangible Heritage. 

Earlier, it was performed only by males of the Shammar tribe of the central Najd region before going to war, but nowadays it is performed at by all tribes during celebrations and cultural events. 

It followed a walk where visitors delved into stories of the past at Al-Sham historical open square. 

In an open theater, performers using ancient tools and utensils enacted scenes from previous eras showing how people traded, made crafts, kneaded dough and baked bread. 

Ahmad Khamees, live acts artmaker from 321 Action Art Production, told Arab News: “We prepared a full story with eight different scenes that will shed light on Hijazi dishes, and offer an overview of the oldest trade market, where people used to exchange food and goods.

“All the tools we used date back over 100 years and were brought from different national museums and antiques collectors to provide the true essence of Founding Day.”

The interactive theater also introduced visitors to one of the Hijazi traditional dishes usually made in cold weather: “Madoos,” which is made of broth, onions, lentils, rice and cumin, and consumed with salted dry fish.

Visitors in the old town can also experience getting milk in “gerbah,” an ancient type of bottle made from goat or sheep hide, which was used to store or transport milk and ghee.

Chon Yee, a Chinese tourist visiting Jeddah Al-Balad during the Founding Day celebrations, told Arab News: “It is my first time in Saudi Arabia; it is such a great area as I am also a history lover.”

He added: “This is the third day I visited here and I cannot get enough of these amazing buildings, unique style and windows I haven’t seen elsewhere. I am so happy that the Ministry of Culture is paying for efforts to maintain it.”

In addition to the kiosks that offer many traditional and local products, there is a mural where visitors can draw to express their love for the Kingdom, as well as a photo booth to capture the moment with family and friends in their traditional attire.

Elsewhere, Monteja, a nonprofit organization in collaboration with the Swissotel Living Jeddah, organized a family bazaar selling handmade crafts, food and drinks. 

The bazaar brought 15 self-employed families at the Quarter restaurant with an aim to create a platform to showcase and uplift their livelihood as well as explore ways to develop their businesses. 

Maram Aldeen, general manager of Monteja, said: “Founding Day is very special to us, and celebrating this day reflects our love for the beloved country. Through this family bazaar, we believe it is important to stand hand-by-hand and give back to our community and empower these families.”

Productive families are an important part of the Kingdom’s economy, and promoting them can be a true starting point for the development of small and medium-sized enterprise industries. Besides, there are more than 4,000 families in the western region that are in need of support, she said. 

“My expectation of organizing this event at the hotel is to really have all the hotel guests, employees, and their families, as well as many visitors, experience the vibe and also purchase from them while appreciating their beautiful products.”

Jaouad Sbihi, general manager at the Swissotel Living Jeddah, said: “We are a newly opened hotel in Jeddah since September 2022, and this is our first year to have the chance to celebrate the Founding Day as an operating hotel. We always aimed to be an active contributor other than collaborating with a such noble organization that promotes and advocates for a good cause in supporting local producing families and craftmanship talents.

“I consider it as an obligation for our industry to support and promote such partnership whereby offering our hotel platform free of charge yet ensuring that all generated sales revenue goes to the nonprofit organization and at the same time give them a chance to showcase their talents and skills to our guests, colleagues and community in general which will organically generate other opportunities to them,” he added.

Speaking to Arab News, Raja’s Kalantan from Needle and Yarn, which makes products using yarn, said: “All the entrepreneurs are honored and appreciate the collaboration of the organization with the luxury hotel, Swissotel Living Jeddah for believing in us. It means a lot when well-known brands are looking after a social cause and empowering people like us.”


Muslim pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Hajj nears end in Saudi Arabia

Updated 06 June 2025
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Muslim pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Hajj nears end in Saudi Arabia

  • Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage throw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolizing the devil in the Mina valley

MINA, Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims were performing the last major ritual of the Hajj — the “stoning of the devil” — on Friday, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the beginning of the Eid Al-Adha holiday.

From before day break, the 1.6 million-plus pilgrims began throwing seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina valley, on the outskirts of the holy city of Makkah.

 

 

Droves of pilgrims had already set out from their accommodation in the sprawling tent city in Mina before dawn, taking advantage of the cool temperatures.

The ritual commemorates Abraham’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son.

***

GALLERY: Hajj Pilgrimage 2025: Muslims ‘stone the devil’ 

***

“Our experience in Mina was easy and simple. We entered and within five minutes we had completed the stoning of the devil at the ‘Jamarat’,” said 34-year-old Wael Ahmed Abdel Kader, from Egypt, after carrying out the ritual at dawn.

Howakita, a pilgrim from Guinea, said the prospect of celebrating Eid in Makkah filled her with joy.

“When I threw the stones I felt at ease. I was truly proud,” she said.

A day earlier, pilgrims converged on Mount Arafat, praying and reciting Qur’anic verses at the 70-meter (230-foot) rocky rise near Makkah, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.

Many climbed the mount despite the searing heat, though numbers had thinned by midday following official warnings for pilgrims to stay inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
 

 

This year’s Hajj saw authorities implementing a range of heat mitigation efforts alongside a wide-ranging crackdown on illicit pilgrims — resulting in noticeably thinner crowds and a heavy security presence at holy sites in Makkah and surrounding areas.

The measures were aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s Hajj that saw 1,301 people die in temperatures that hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).

Saudi authorities said a majority of those deaths were among pilgrims who slipped into Makkah illegally and lacked access to accommodation and other services aimed to keep pilgrims safe and protected from the searing desert heat.

This Hajj season has recorded the lowest number of pilgrims in over three decades, barring the years of Covid restrictions from 2020-2022.

Last year, 1.8 million Muslims took part in the Hajj, according to official figures.

Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery system.

But even for those who can secure them, the high costs spur many to attempt the Hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught.

The stoning ritual in the Mina valley was the scene of a fatal stampede in 2015, when 2,300 people were killed in one of the deadliest Hajj disasters.

Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.

The pilgrimages are also a source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Medina.

The end of the Hajj coincides with the beginning of Eid Al-Adha — an annual feasting holiday marked by the slaughter of an animal — typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel.


Pilgrims depart Muzdalifah at midnight for stoning ritual in Mina

Updated 06 June 2025
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Pilgrims depart Muzdalifah at midnight for stoning ritual in Mina

  • Each pilgrim casts seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. The ritual is repeated over the next two days at all three Jamarat pillars

RIYADH: The early hours of Friday saw pilgrims start the journey from Muzdalifah to Mina, where they will perform one of Hajj’s most symbolic rituals — the stoning of the Jamarat, which marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of Satan.

Following a night of worship and rest, where the travelers combined and shortened the Maghrib and Isha prayers and collected pebbles for the ritual, the movement to Mina began shortly after midnight.

Saudi authorities orchestrated operations with meticulous precision, ensuring pilgrims moved in structured waves to prevent overcrowding and followed routes mapped out in advance by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

Security personnel, crowd control units and volunteer guides lined the roads to ensure pilgrims — many of whom were elderly or physically exhausted — could travel safely.

Transportation was provided by a fleet of buses operating on strict schedules. Many people also used the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, the dedicated Hajj-only rail system which loops between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah and can carry up to 72,000 passengers per hour. According to Saudi Press Agency, the nine-station line significantly reduced surface congestion and supported the Kingdom’s strategy for a safe and sustainable Hajj.

Upon arrival in Mina, pilgrims proceeded to Jamarat Bridge, a purpose-built, multi-level structure designed to accommodate millions performing the stoning ritual.

Each pilgrim casts seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. The ritual is repeated over the next two days at all three Jamarat pillars.

The millions of pebbles fall into the Jamarat’s basement, which is 15 meters deep, where they are collected by conveyor belts.

They are then sifted, washed to remove impurities, and transferred to storage vehicles. Ahmed Al-Subhi, a representative of Kidana Development Co., which manages the holy sites, said bags of pebbles were prepared in advance and distributed at more than 300 contact points in Muzdalifah and Mina.

The process is part of a broader system designed to reduce the ritual’s environmental impact and preserve its spiritual symbolism.

To ensure smooth flow at the Jamarat, the bridge is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, ventilation units, emergency exits and designated pathways for groups and individuals.

Entry and exit are managed through RFID-based Nusuk cards and digital crowd-tracking systems operated by the Saudi Data and AI Authority.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj this year, with some 1,506,576 coming from outside the Kingdom.


How AI tech innovation has elevated the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage experience

Updated 06 June 2025
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How AI tech innovation has elevated the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage experience

  • AI tools are transforming the Hajj experience, enhancing safety, easing logistics, and enriching spirituality for millions of pilgrims
  • From crowd control to faith tools, Hajj 2025 showcases a bold fusion of ancient ritual and cutting-edge digital innovation

RIYADH: As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims to Makkah in 2025, Saudi Arabia is using a powerful suite of artificial intelligence tools to ensure that this sacred journey is safer, smoother, and more spiritually enriching than ever before.

In a remarkable blend of ancient ritual and modern innovation, the Kingdom is harnessing AI, biometric technologies, and digital services to overcome the logistical challenges of hosting one of the world’s largest religious gatherings — from crowd control to heat management — all while preserving the sanctity of the experience.

AI-powered tools have been developed to give pilgrims more time to focus on their Hajj obligations. (SPA photo)

“Saudi Arabia carries an immense responsibility in hosting millions of pilgrims,” Hatem Mandeel, managing director and co-founder of the digital transformation consultancy Tyde AI, told Arab News. “It continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to this role through innovative approaches to event management and safety.”

At the heart of this transformation is Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s national roadmap for economic diversification and digital growth. This year’s Hajj reflects those ambitions in action, with technologies being used to streamline everything from spiritual guidance to crowd movement.

Among the most notable are two new tools — the Smart Enrichment Assistant and the Digital Mutawwif.

Developed by the Agency for Religious Affairs at the Prophet’s Mosque, the Smart Enrichment Assistant provides real-time updates on prayer times, imam schedules, and locations of religious activities. Offered in numerous languages, it reduces logistical stress while deepening spiritual engagement for pilgrims.

AI-powered tools have been developed to give pilgrims more time to focus on their Hajj obligations. (SPA photo)

The Digital Mutawwif, meanwhile, was created by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to serve as a digital companion for Umrah pilgrims. It includes navigation tools for tawaf and sa’i, a library of audio-visual supplications, and built-in ritual counters to help pilgrims stay focused and on track.

These tools are complemented by the Makkah Route Initiative, a fast-track immigration service powered by biometric technology and AI.

Now operating at 11 international airports in seven countries, the initiative allows pilgrims to complete visa, customs, and health checks before boarding their flights — reducing congestion on arrival.

Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them. (SPA)

It is supported by round-the-clock monitoring systems run by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, which ensure health compliance and swift issue resolution through AI-driven analytics.

Behind the scenes, more sophisticated AI platforms are addressing the enormous logistical demands of Hajj. One of the most critical is Baseer, a platform developed by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority.

Using computer vision and machine learning, Baseer tracks and analyzes the movements of more than one million worshippers a day inside the Grand Mosque. The insights help authorities predict crowd surges and prevent dangerous bottlenecks.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Smart Enrichment Assistant helps pilgrims navigate rituals with real-time updates and multilingual spiritual guidance.

• Digital Mutawwif guides pilgrims step by step through tawaf and sa’i, with visual aids, supplications, and ritual counters.

• Makkah Route Initiative fast tracks immigration using biometrics and AI, easing congestion before pilgrims even arrive.

• Baseer tracks more than a million worshippers a day to manage crowd flow and prevent bottlenecks at the Grand Mosque.

Using AI at this scale is a major milestone in event management, especially in sensitive, sacred contexts.

“Building this technology is one thing, but maintaining system reliability under high demand, ensuring data privacy and properly onboarding personnel is a whole operation in itself,” Mandeel said.

Adding a more personal and interactive touch, the Kingdom has also introduced Manarah 2, a multilingual robot equipped with a smart touchscreen. It provides real-time information and guidance to pilgrims in several languages, along with a dedicated application to help non-Arabic speakers recite Surah Al-Fatiha correctly.

“This demonstrates how Saudi Arabia is taking the initiative to manage — but also elevate — the sacred journey for millions of pilgrims,” Mandeel said. “This is a powerful example of how AI can thoughtfully enhance sacred, deeply human experiences — something more people globally should be aware of and inspired by.”

With extreme heat, massive crowds, and time-sensitive rituals, the pilgrimage poses huge logistical challenges. But Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in AI is setting a global standard for how digital transformation can serve human traditions.

“This proactive use of technology not only supports the goals of Vision 2030,”  Mandeel said. “But also offers a model for other nations managing large-scale gatherings in sensitive contexts.”
 

 


From Arafat to Muzdalifah, 1.6m Hajj pilgrims continue their sacred journey

Updated 05 June 2025
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From Arafat to Muzdalifah, 1.6m Hajj pilgrims continue their sacred journey

  • As the sun set over Mount Arafat, signaling the end of the day’s rituals, pilgrims began leaving en masse for Muzdalifah, a holy site nestled between Arafat and Mina
  • Travel from Arafat to Muzdalifah was achieved by using a vast fleet of buses operating on a phased schedule

RIYADH: On Thursday, corresponding to Dul Hijjah 9, more than 1.67 million pilgrims gathered on the plain of Arafat, marking the spiritual apex of the Hajj pilgrimage.

From early morning, the atmosphere in Arafat was one of intense devotion, with worshippers praying, reciting the Qur’an, and raising their hands in supplication.

The Day of Arafat, considered the most sacred in the Islamic calendar, is the heart of the Hajj journey.

In Muzdalifah, the pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual at the Jamarat area in Mina. (AN photo by Huda Bashattah)

As the sun set over Mount Arafat, signaling the end of the day’s rituals, pilgrims began leaving en masse for Muzdalifah, a holy site nestled between Arafat and Mina.

The move to Muzdalifah is an integral part of Hajj, combining logistical coordination with spiritual significance.

This leg of the journey is tightly choreographed by Saudi authorities to ensure safe and efficient travel despite the enormous scale of the operation.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj this year, with 1,506,576 of them from outside the Kingdom.

The number of domestic pilgrims is 166,654, including citizens and residents.

Managing the movement of such large numbers requires seamless coordination between several agencies, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Interior, and the Transport General Authority.

Travel from Arafat to Muzdalifah was achieved by using a vast fleet of buses operating on a phased schedule. Additionally, the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, a railway system built exclusively for Hajj, played a major role in easing congestion.

The nine-station metro can transport up to 72,000 pilgrims an hour in one direction, operating on a circular loop connecting Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

Authorities also used smart surveillance systems, drones, and real-time data to monitor crowd movement and prevent bottlenecks.

Volunteers and security personnel were stationed at checkpoints to guide pilgrims and ensure safety during this critical transition.

Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, pilgrims performed the Maghrib and Isha prayers — traditionally shortened and combined — before beginning another key ritual: collecting 49 pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil at the Jamarat site in Mina.

Many pilgrims chose to rest or sleep under the open sky, emulating Prophet Muhammad’s practice during his farewell pilgrimage. Although logistically smaller than other holy sites, Muzdalifah was fully equipped with ample lighting, shaded rest areas, water stations, and mobile medical units.

The Ministry of Health deployed more than 120 ambulances and several field hospitals at Arafat and Muzdalifah, supported by thousands of medical staff to respond to heat stress, dehydration, or urgent health issues.

Mobile clinics were also stationed at key points to assist elderly and vulnerable pilgrims.

These logistical and health measures reflect Saudi Arabia’s long-term commitment to improving the Hajj experience under Vision 2030.

Through a blend of faith, planning, and technology, this year’s Hajj continues to evolve into a model of safety, efficiency, and spiritual focus for millions of Muslims worldwide.

 

 


Tough security ensures safe, smooth Hajj

Updated 05 June 2025
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Tough security ensures safe, smooth Hajj

  • The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season

ARAFAT: Saudi Arabia has intensified the enforcement of Hajj permit regulations this year, barring individuals without official permits from entering Makkah to ensure that authorized pilgrims can fully benefit from the Kingdom’s services and facilities.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security forces had been deployed across all key access points to Makkah to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the city in the days leading up to Hajj. The intensified measures come in response to longstanding concerns over the strain placed on infrastructure and essential services by unauthorized pilgrims.

The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season.

By ensuring that only authorized individuals enter Makkah during the Hajj season, the Kingdom aims to maintain public health, optimize crowd control and uphold the spiritual integrity of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

In a recent press conference, held ahead of Hajj, the Kingdom detailed preparations aligned with the directives of Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. The strategy covers public safety, crowd and traffic control, and emergency responses throughout the pilgrims’ journey.

Authorities reported the dismantling of 252 fake Hajj campaigns, the arrest of 1,239 illegal transporters, and the return of 269,678 non-residents of Makkah, 75,943 unauthorized pilgrims and 109,632 vehicles. An additional 11,610 individuals were found violating residency, labor and border laws.

The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)

The move is part of a broader effort by authorities to safeguard the sanctity of the pilgrimage and ensure the safety and comfort of registered pilgrims.

The MoI has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 (more than $5,300), with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10.

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

The ministry warned that foreign nationals found in violation would, in addition to the financial penalty, be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for ten years.

The ministry also confirmed that a financial penalty of up to SR100,000 would be imposed on anyone who transported holders of visit visas or attempted to transport them with the intent of bringing them to the city of Makkah or the holy sites during the same period.

The ministry added it would request the competent court to confiscate any land transport vehicle proven to have been used for this purpose if owned by the transporter, an accomplice or any party found to be involved.

In previous years, emergency rooms in Makkah hospitals were often overwhelmed with medical cases involving individuals who entered the city without valid Hajj permits. Many lacked access to official accommodation and transportation, resulting in overcrowding not only in emergency facilities but also in the Grand Mosque and the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat — areas whose capacity is topographically constrained.

Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. In previous seasons, illegal pilgrims strained logistical operations, including food distribution, transportation schedules and accommodation management.

Indian couple Altaf Hussein and his wife Farhana told Arab News that they were pleased with the running of this year’s Hajj.

“I am happy with their management,” Hussein said. Farhana added that it was her first time performing Hajj and that it was unlike what she had heard about.

“From day one in Makkah, I am so happy and thankful to Allah the Almighty, and may Allah keep the two holy mosques’ management prosper,” she said.

Marwa Al-Said, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that this year’s Hajj felt “especially exceptional” with unauthorized pilgrims barred from entering Makkah.

“I would like to thank you all. The arrangements you are applying this year are truly different,” she said. “I feel comfortable — there is no hardship, no fear and none of the worries we usually hear about during Hajj. It is, seriously speaking, real security.”

According to an official at Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital in Arafat, the one-day facility — which in previous years typically received hundreds of patients during the Hajj season — had recorded only two emergency cases as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.