During the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed senior officials, religious leaders, military commanders, and Hajj representatives at Mina Palace. This reception, on behalf of King Salman, highlighted the contributions of those supporting the annual pilgrimage. The crown prince expressed his Eid greetings to Saudi citizens, residents, and pilgrims, while commending the dedication of military personnel, security forces, government staff, and volunteers in serving pilgrims and ensuring the Kingdom’s security.
Emphasizing the significance of serving the Two Holy Mosques and sacred sites, Crown Prince Mohammed reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving security and stability. The event drew attendance from senior officials, Gulf Cooperation Council representatives, ministers, and scout groups involved in Hajj operations. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, speaking for the security services, praised the successful implementation of this year’s Hajj security plans and noted the enhancement of safety and operational efficiency due to Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in pilgrim services.
This year, Saudi Arabia is accommodating over 1.7 million pilgrims for Hajj, with more than 1.54 million arriving from abroad and approximately 160,000 participating from within the Kingdom. Authorities noted an increase in pilgrim numbers compared to last year, supported by expanded infrastructure, digital services, and improved crowd-management systems at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The Makkah Route Initiative also saw expansion, allowing many pilgrims to complete immigration and customs procedures before leaving their home countries, thus streamlining their arrivals.
To ensure the safety and support of the Hajj operations, more than 441,000 personnel, including security officers, healthcare workers, transport coordinators, and emergency responders, have been deployed. Separately, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchanged Eid greetings with leaders across the Islamic world, expressing hopes for ongoing peace, stability, and prosperity in Muslim nations.