Travelling for Hajj? Here's what you need to know
Image credit: Getty Images
Saudi authorities are currently reviewing the progress of development projects underway at the holy sites across the Kingdom.
The first related meeting was that of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, chaired by Deputy Emir of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishaal.
Plans and preparations for Hajj
The committee reviewed plans and preparations for Hajj 2025 and evaluated the progress of ongoing projects set to be operational during this year's pilgrimage. Discussions also focused on the full readiness of operational plans from various authorities for the upcoming Hajj season.
Read-
Some of the development projects reviewed include:
Restoration of mosques in Mina and Arafat, along with projects by the Kidana Company
Shading of pedestrian paths in Mina, covering around 50,000 square meters
Shading and cooling of paths in Arafat, over 60,000 square meters
Installation of canopies with mist fans in the Jabal Al-Rahmah area (785 square meters) to mitigate direct sunlight and regulate temperature
A heat stress mitigation project at Namirah Mosque, covering 85,000 square meters
Afforestation and vegetation projects at holy sites
The committee also reviewed afforestation initiatives aiming to plant 10,000 trees to improve air quality, reduce temperatures, and ease conditions for pilgrims.
Additionally, the committee examined a project to establish 400 drinking water coolers and rest areas for pilgrims over 28,000 square meters between the holy sites.
Emergency and first aid centers
As part of the preparations, authorities plan to establish 15 emergency and first aid centers, along with 71 emergency and first aid launch points along the Hajj route.
These centers aim to provide urgent medical services, logistical support, water, snacks, and guidance services to pilgrims.
Muzdalifah Haram Path Project
Special attention was given to the second phase of the Muzdalifah Haram Path Project, which spans 170,000 square meters. This phase includes rubber flooring, green spaces, rest areas, water fountains, and misting fans.
The project also entails building 64 two-story restroom complexes and upgrading 135 compactor bin sites in Mina to enhance waste storage capacity during the Hajj season.
Passports Directorate begins issuing Makkah entry permits
The
The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 15.
Permits are being issued through the Ministry of Interior's Absher Individuals platform and the Muqeem portal.
Tasreeh platform
Thanks to technical integration with the Tasreeh platform, expatriates working during Hajj no longer need to visit Jawazat offices in person to obtain their permits.
Absher Individuals platform
The Absher Individuals platform enables permit issuance for domestic workers, dependents, Premium Residency holders, investors, mothers of citizens, and Gulf Cooperation Council citizens, upon submission of the required documents.
Makkah entry permits
Permits for workers at Makkah-based establishments are issued through the Muqeem portal. Holders of seasonal work visas and those with contracts for Hajj-related employment can also apply through this portal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Saudia Group transports 3,900 Iranian Pilgrims daily
Jeddah: In line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the recommendation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Saudia Group continues to operate dedicated flights to support the return of pilgrims from the Islamic Republic of Iran. These efforts are carried out in close coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, ensuring the delivery of all necessary services for a safe and smooth return to their homeland. Daily flights operated by Saudia and flyadeal depart from the Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. As part of this operation, approximately 3,900 pilgrims are transported each day, with 2,700 pilgrims traveling to Arar airport in Saudi Arabia and coordination is underway to transport 1,200 pilgrims daily to Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. Saudia Group's coordinated return operations have been conducted under close supervision of senior officials, who were present on-site to ensure smooth departures. This level of engagement reflects the Kingdom's deep-rooted commitment to serving pilgrims with excellence, providing care, hospitality, and operational efficiency at every step of their journey. About Saudia Group Saudia Group is one of the largest aviation conglomerates in the MENA region. The Group drives industry development with its 13 subsidiaries, and offers world-class air transport, cargo services, ground services, logistics, maintenance, catering, private aviation, real estate, training, and medical services. The mission of Saudia Group is to inspire people to go beyond borders with a purpose that is rooted in unlocking human potential and connecting the world in ways never thought possible. The group is committed to reshaping the aviation ecosystem in the MENA region and beyond, by embracing innovation and a customer-centric approach. Media Center Saudia Airlines Headquarters Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Email: mediacenter@ X: @SaudiaGroup Linkedin: SAUDI AIRLINES WhatsApp: Saudia Group | مجموعة السعودية
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Umrah visa applicants now required to upload hotel bookings via Nusuk Masar
RIYADH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that confirmed hotel bookings through the Nusuk Masar platform are now mandatory for all Umrah visa applicants for the 1447H (2025) season. The Ministry confirmed the new requirement on its official X platform, stating: 'To improve service standards and enrich the pilgrim experience, housing documentation through Nusuk Masar is now required for all 1447H Umrah visa issuances.' Under the new rules, all Umrah operators and agents are required to limit accommodations to hotels licensed and approved by the Ministry of Tourism. Contracts must be documented and uploaded via the Nusuk Masar platform to ensure transparency and quality assurance. The Ministry warned that failure to comply with the new requirement could result in visa delays, rejections, or financial penalties. It also emphasized that the Nusuk Masar platform serves as the central portal for managing all Umrah-related services, including hotel bookings, housing contract uploads, permit management, and access to multilingual travel materials. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Tourism Breaking News
3 days ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Almosafer partners with Landmark Group for travel bookings
Post Views: 34 Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Landmark Group to deliver greater value and flexibility to travellers across the GCC through Shukran, Landmark's award-winning loyalty programme. Through this collaboration, Almosafer customers across the GCC can earn Shukran Points on travel bookings made through Almosafer's online travel platforms. Additionally, customers can transfer their Almosafer Points to Shukran Points, providing them with even more options for utilising their travel rewards. Shukran Points can be redeemed across Landmark Group's extensive retail network, including Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Home Centre, Splash, Lifestyle, Shoemart, and Emax – creating a seamless connection between travel and everyday lifestyle benefits. Pallav Singhvi, VP of Consumer Travel at Almosafer, said: 'Our goal has always been to deliver a seamless and enriching experience for our travellers. This partnership with Shukran allows us to add even more value to each journey booked through Almosafer, while also expanding our benefits ecosystem to include one of the region's most trusted loyalty programmes.' James Dickson, Chief Product Officer at Landmark Group said; 'We're thrilled to extend Shukran's reach through our partnership with Almosafer. Shukran is built to reward customers for the lifestyle choices they make every day, and this collaboration is a significant step forward in offering even greater flexibility and value to our members.' The partnership reflects Almosafer's continued commitment to delivering smarter, more rewarding travel experiences across the region. -ENDS- About Almosafer Almosafer is the Middle East's leading travel brand offering consumers seamless user experiences for domestic and international travel bookings through its omni-channel offerings across state-of-the-art online platforms, call centre, WhatsApp and retail locations. Providing hotel booking options for over 1.5 million properties around the globe, flight bookings on over 450 airlines, domestic chalet and istiraha reservations, complete holiday packages, domestic activities, car rental, transfers, concierge planning services and more, Almosafer boasts various convenient booking solutions for any type of travel need. With the heritage of being a homegrown business and harnessing extensive experience in the region, the brand has developed a deep understanding of local travel needs, preferences and traveller segments. Tailored holiday packages for Saudi travellers, dedicated offers and deals, alongside one-on-one consultation across WhatsApp, a 24/7 call centre and in-branch travel advisors, add to the sense of personalised service only a local business such as Almosafer can provide, to help customers find richer and more memorable experiences wherever and whenever they travel. About Landmark Group Founded in 1973 in Bahrain, Landmark Group has grown to become one of the largest and most successful omnichannel retail and hospitality conglomerates, with presence across 17 countries in the Middle East, Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Based in the UAE since 1990, the Group owns and operates 22 established homegrown brands across an extensive network of more than 2,200 outlets, encompassing a gross leasable area of 33 million square feet. Landmark Group's success is driven by its diverse portfolio of established brands, across multiple retail categories, offering a comprehensive range of products across fashion, home, groceries and electronics. These include Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Home Centre, Babyshop, Splash, Shoemart, Lifestyle, Viva, Emax, Home Box, Styli, Shoexpress, Spar and Easybuy. Beyond retail, Landmark Group has diversified into the leisure, fitness and hospitality sectors with brands like Fitness First, Citymax, Fun City, Fun Ville, Zafran and Carluccio's. The Group boasts unparalleled logistics capabilities, owning the MENA region's largest privately-owned distribution hub – Omega Logistics and Logistiq, which offers state-of-the-art third-party logistics services. Landmark Group places a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional value and achieving customer satisfaction throughout its comprehensive product range. The company has a dedicated workforce of more than 53,000 employees and continues to be certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) since 2017. For more information visit our website or follow us on our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
