Latest news with #TawfiqAlRabiah
Gulf Insider
08-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities
As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws to a close, Saudi Arabia has revealed that more than 7,000 flights from 238 cities worldwide brought pilgrims to the Kingdom this year, in what is being described as one of the most integrated and technologically advanced Hajj operations to date. Speaking at the annual reception for distinguished Hajj guests hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah emphasized the unprecedented levels of coordination and efficiency that marked the 2025 pilgrimage. Dr. Al Rabiah announced the enhancement of the Nusuk app, which now provides more than 130 digital services to pilgrims from visa facilitation to guidance for every stage of the journey, including their safe return home. The Minister also cited the expansion of shaded areas to more than 300,000 square meters, including 170,000 square meters along pilgrim routes and the planting of 23,000 trees to improve comfort and reduce heat exposure at key sites. Saudi authorities boosted the electric grid's capacity at the holy sites by 95 percent, a project costing over 3 billion riyals, and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water across Mecca and the pilgrimage sites. Transportation saw similar upgrades: over 4,700 Haramain train journeys, 2,500 trips on the Mashaer Metro, and a fleet of more than 20,000 buses moved crowds efficiently between sacred locations. Healthcare capacity also reached new heights, with a more than 60 percent increase in hospital beds, the opening of a new emergency hospital, and the deployment of 71 rapid-response medical points throughout the holy sites.
Arab News
08-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister
MINA: Saudi Arabia has achieved unprecedented levels of integration, efficiency and service excellence during this year's Hajj, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah was speaking at the annual reception for dignitaries and senior Islamic figures who performed Hajj this year, which was held on Saturday in Mina and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This year saw the launch of the Hajj Transport Center, which served as the central hub for transportation across Makkah and the holy sites and was one of this year's notable achievements, said Al-Rabiah. In terms of infrastructure, he added, the electric power capacity in the holy sites increased by 75 percent, with total investments exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million). Logistically, the minister said: 'More than 7,000 flights from 238 destinations around the world were received. In addition, 4,700 Haramain High-Speed Railway trips and 2,500 shuttle bus journeys were operated, supported by the deployment of over 20,000 buses.' He added: 'In the health sector, hospital bed capacity was expanded by over 60 percent. A new emergency hospital was inaugurated, and 71 rapid response units were deployed, tripling the emergency response capacity compared to previous years.' Al-Rabiah also emphasized the success of the 'No Hajj Without a Permit' campaign, which played a vital role in maintaining order, protecting pilgrims and ensuring the safe management of crowds. He said the campaign was launched to reinforce discipline, protect legitimate pilgrims and facilitate crowd management in a safe environment, enhancing smooth flow and improving organizational efficiency. On the volunteer front, the Ministry of Health announced the participation of more than 5,000 health volunteers during this year's Hajj season, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of medical services provided to pilgrims. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Guests of God Service Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to increase the number of volunteers and enhance their contribution to serving pilgrims. The ministry said: 'The volunteers supported healthcare services across three main areas, preventive, therapeutic and support services, in various locations throughout the holy sites … as well as through active participation in hospitals and health centers.' Authorities also praised the role of advanced technology and digital platforms that streamlined pilgrims' movements and access to services, while thousands of security personnel, health workers, and volunteers were deployed to offer support.
Asharq Al-Awsat
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Hajj Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: No Effort Spared in Serving the Pilgrims
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stressed that the Kingdom is keen on providing the best services and procedures to the Hajj pilgrims. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said that no effort has been spared in serving them. The Hajj and Umrah Ministry had sought during its preparations for this year's Hajj to coordinate with Hajj affairs offices from across the globe. It held 78 preparatory meetings that helped in elevating readiness and coordination with concerned authorities. All this aims to allow the pilgrims to perform the rituals smoothly and at ease, stressed the minister. Moreover, Al-Rabiah highlighted the Masar Nusuk app that played a role in documenting and organizing service providers, ensuring a fair and transparent operational environment. The ministry is keen on providing high quality services at appropriate prices and achieving operational sustainability in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, he added. The ministry has so far received over 1.5 million pilgrims from across the globe, he revealed. Al-Rabiah also underlined the cooperation between his ministry and Interior Ministry in implementing the 'No Hajj without a Permit' campaign. The campaign aims to preserve the security and safety of legal pilgrims and prevent any violations or victims of Hajj scams, he said. The Nusuk app has played a role in documenting the personal and health information of pilgrims, as well as their residency status, he explained. The app acts as an ID for the pilgrims as they move from one holy site to another during the Hajj, he went on to say. This has helped limit violations. Al-Rabiah noted that his ministry sought to tackle challenges early on, such as the preparedness of infrastructure and modernizing services for the pilgrims. Over 62,000 inspection tours have been held and some 6,300 reservations have been made and dealt with immediately, reflecting a keenness on ensuring quality of services, Al-Rabiah said. Al-Rabiah also revealed that efforts have been made to boost environment sustainability at the Hajj. Over 170,000 square meters of area have been provided with shade from the sun and 20,000 plants have been planted to provide vegetation cover and reduce temperatures. Efforts have also been exerted to limit the use of plastic and increase reliance on clean sources of energy, he added. Hajj services are also benefitting from advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, said Al-Rabiah. They are being used in crowd management, analyzing data and other areas. The Nusuk app has been developed to become a 'digital companion' to the pilgrims, boasting over 100 services, Al-Rabiah said. The Hajj and Umrah Ministry is constantly following up on new technologies to benefit from them in servicing the pilgrims, he stressed. On approval ratings for the Hajj, the minister revealed that the rate increased from 74 to 97 percent in the past three years, including this Hajj season. On whether other countries have reached out to Saudi Arabia to benefit from its experience in organizing such a massive event as the Hajj, Al-Rabiah confirmed that his ministry held the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition to that end. Delegations from 100 countries took part and over 670 agreements were signed for countries to benefit from Saudi Arabia's expertise, Al-Rabiah stated.
Arab News
04-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Saudi minister conducts field tour of Makkah's holy sites
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah conducted a field tour of the holy sites to inspect camp readiness and facilities ahead of pilgrims' move to Arafat on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He emphasized the need for coordination across entities and adherence to high operational standards. Al-Rabiah also reviewed accommodation, logistics and the integration of health, technical and support services to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.
Arab News
04-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Minister of endowments thanks Saudi Arabia for caring for Syrian pilgrims
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia's hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday. An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9. Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims' commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations. The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as 'messengers of Syria' and show a good example during the Hajj. Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
