Hajj 2025 Season Begins: Saudi Arabia Welcomes First Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia welcomed its first Hajj pilgrims Tuesday at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, marking the start of the 2025 pilgrimage season. A flight from Dhaka, Bangladesh, carrying 396 pilgrims, landed as six key airports across the Kingdom activated full-scale operations. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser highlighted facilities at Jeddah, Madinah, Yanbu, Taif, Riyadh, and Dammam to streamline arrivals. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's envoy praised Saudi efficiency as 414 pilgrims touched down later Tuesday.
Tech & Tradition Merge in Makkah Route Initiative
Pakistan launched its 342-flight Hajj operation, sending 89,000 pilgrims via AirSial and other carriers. Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf urged strict adherence to Saudi laws, calling pilgrims 'ambassadors of Pakistan'. Each received a GPS-enabled SIM card to navigate Mina's crowded pathways. Similarly, Malaysia's Makkah Route Initiative simplified visa and health checks before departure.
Malaysian pilgrims arrived in Madinah after completing e-visas and luggage coding in Kuala Lumpur. Their bags were pre-sorted for direct delivery to accommodations, easing post-arrival stress. Indian pilgrims from Hyderabad also received floral welcomes in Madinah, reflecting Saudi hospitality. Furthermore, Saudi authorities coordinated airport teams to ensure smooth transfers for all groups.
With 87,100 Bangladeshi, 89,000 Pakistani, and thousands more global pilgrims expected, Saudi infrastructure gears up for June's peak Hajj rituals. Minister Yousaf confirmed plans to expand Makkah Route services to more cities, boosting accessibility.
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