6 May 2025
Makkah Route Initiative’s Jakarta-Madinah Flight Departs for Hajj Jakarta
A group of Indonesian pilgrims embarked on their Hajj journey today via the Makkah Route Initiative, as their flight departed from the dedicated lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, bound for Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. Now in its seventh year, the Makkah Route Initiative offers comprehensive, highquality services to pilgrims from participating countries, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience from their home countries. The process includes biometric data collection, electronic Hajj visa issuance, and passport procedure completion at the departure airport, following the verification of health requirements. Pilgrims’ baggage is then coded and sorted based on their transportation and accommodation arrangements within the Kingdom. Upon arrival, pilgrims are directly transferred to buses for transportation to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah via designated routes, while partner agencies handle the delivery of their luggage to these locations. The Ministry of Interior spearheads the implementation of this initiative in collaboration with several key government bodies, including the ministries of foreign affairs, health, Hajj and Umrah, and media, as well as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports.
Interior Ministry Enforces Strict Measures Against Unauthorized Hajj Entry Riyadh
The Ministry of Interior has launched operations to prevent individuals without Hajj permits from entering or remaining in Makkah and the holy sites, warning that violators and those who facilitate their unauthorized pilgrimage will be apprehended and face penalties. According to the ministry, performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, entering on any type of visit visa, or attempting to enter or remain in Makkah and the holy sites without authorization will result in a fine of up to SAR20,000. Individuals who apply for visit visas on behalf of those intending to perform Hajj without a permit, transport visit visa holders to Makkah and the holy sites, or shelter them will face fines of up to SAR100,000, with penalties increasing based on the number of violations. Residents and those attempting to perform Hajj without authorization will be deported and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for 10 years. The ministry also seeks to confiscate vehicles used to transport visit visa holders for unauthorized Hajj if owned by those involved in the violation. The Ministry of Interior urged everyone to adhere to Hajj regulations to ensure the safety and ease of pilgrims, calling on the public to report violations via 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Region, and 999 in other parts of the Kingdom.
KSrelief to Support Orphans in Mali
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed a joint executive program with a civil-society organization aimed at supporting and sponsoring orphans in the Republic of Mali. The center was represented in the signing of the program by Assistant SupervisorGeneral for Operations and Programs Eng. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz. The agreement focuses on providing financial sponsorship for 1,350 orphans, covering tuition fees, and empowering 430 families of orphan breadwinners. The project is part of the humanitarian and relief initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, aimed at supporting orphans and enhancing their living conditions in Mali.
KSrelief Concludes Volunteer Medical Project for Open-Heart Surgery, Cardiac Catheterization in Aden
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) concluded the volunteer medical project for pediatric open-heart surgery and cardiac catheterization in Aden Governorate, Yemen, which was implemented on April 19 to 26, with the participation of 10 volunteers from various medical specialties. The center’s volunteer medical team has successfully performed 24 open-heart surgeries and 98 cardiac catheterization procedures. As the Kingdom’s humanitarian arm, KSrelief conducts a series of global volunteer medical projects aimed at assisting patients and those in need.
KSrelief Removes 1,488 Mines in Yemen Through ‘Masam’ Project in One Week Aden
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) Masam Project, dedicated to clearing mines in Yemen, successfully removed 1,488 mines during the fourth week of April 2025. The removed ordnance included three anti-personnel mines, 46 anti-tank mines, 1,437 unexploded munitions, and two improvised explosive devices. The total number of mines cleared in April has reached 4,036, bringing the cumulative total since the start of the Masam Project to 490,144. These mines, randomly planted across various parts of Yemen, have claimed the lives of innocent children, women, and the elderly.
Kidana Implements Rental Unit Project Inspired by Holy Sites’ Architecture
Kidana Development Company, the main developer of the Holy Sites and the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, announced the completion of a modern rental unit project as an alternative to previous units, as part of its preparations for the Hajj season 1446 AH. The project includes more than 60 commercial rental units in strategic locations within Mina and Muzdalifah, as part of a development initiative that aims to improve the service and marketing environment in the Holy Sites. The new units boast architectural designs inspired by the identity of the Holy Sites, embodying the spiritual and symbolic character of these sacred locations. The designs enhance urban integration within areas of religious significance, replacing outdated street markets with modern, multi-purpose facilities that will contribute to an improved experience for pilgrims. Kidana offered investment opportunities for the rental of commercial units in Mina and Muzdalifah. To take advantage of these opportunities and join a promising commercial environment in the Holy Sites, please contact the real estate broker “Wejhat Al Edarah Company” by visiting the following link: http://wejhat-kidana.com/
Customs Ports Ready to Welcome Hajj Pilgrims, Streamline Entry Procedures
Land, sea, and air customs ports have completed their preparations to welcome and serve pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj season. Equipped with integrated capabilities, the ports are ready to manage customs services efficiently. As part of its operational plan for the Hajj season, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) aims to streamline entry procedures for Hajj pilgrims. ZATCA is committed to effective cooperation and continued coordination with relevant agencies serving the pilgrims, ensuring integrated efforts that enhance the quality of services provided. ZATCA noted that all capabilities at land, sea, and air ports have been prepared well in advance to accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims. The land customs ports alone have a daily capacity exceeding 1,800 buses. The authority operates more than 230 dedicated lanes for buses and vehicles and has implemented streamlined customs procedures. Additionally, over 10 model lounges have been established, featuring a range of services to ensure pilgrims’ comfort, with more than 290 service counters staffed by relevant agencies.
Passports Department in Madinah Airport Receives First Group of Pilgrims from Thailand Madinah
The Passports Department at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the Madinah Region today received the first group of pilgrims arriving from Thailand to perform the Hajj for 1446 AH and completed their entry procedures smoothly and efficiently. The General Directorate of Passports stressed that all its resources have been mobilized to facilitate pilgrims’ entry procedures by equipping its counters at border crossings with the latest technologies operated by qualified personnel fluent in the pilgrims’ languages. The directorate had previously announced its readiness to process pilgrims’ entry for this year’s Hajj season through all international airports, land crossings, and seaports.
Makkah’s Bus Guidance Center Completes Hajj Operational Plan Makkah
The guidance center for buses transporting pilgrims from abroad in Makkah has announced the completion of its operational and technical plan for the 1446 AH Hajj season. The center has trained 1,500 personnel under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to deliver comprehensive, efficient, speedy, and accurate guidance services to pilgrims. Director General of the center Abdullah Sindi stated that personnel are equipped with smart devices connected in real time to a 24/7 monitoring and control unit. This will allow them to track bus movements and ensure pilgrims reach their destinations quickly.
Passports Chief Receives First Flight of ‘Makkah Route’ Beneficiaries at Jeddah Airport
Director General of Passports Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba received the first flight of beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The Makkah Route Initiative aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from beneficiary countries by completing their travel procedures smoothly in their home countries, including capturing biometric data, issuing Hajj visas electronically, completing passport procedures at the departure airport following health requirement verification, tagging and sorting luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom, and transporting pilgrims directly via designated routes to their residences in Makkah and Madinah. Partner agencies are responsible for delivering their luggage to these locations.
Makkah Municipality Approves 3,149 Hajj Housing Permits for over 1.8 Million Pilgrims
As a key step in its ongoing commitment to pilgrim welfare, the Holy Makkah Municipality has approved 3,149 official housing permits for the Hajj season 1446 AH, ensuring a safe and comfortable residential environment through adherence to all necessary technical and regulatory standards. These approved permits encompass 428,289 residential rooms across a total area of 7,635,086 square meters, enabling accommodation for over 1,867,215 pilgrims. This significant capacity demonstrates the municipality’s efforts to optimize space and ensure high-quality, safe residential services. Aligned with its core mission, the municipality affirmed this step guarantees the highest levels of preparedness in pilgrim housing. The municipality’s strict regulatory requirements include verifying building permits and approved architectural plans, reviewing safety reports, emergency stairs, and electrical generators, as well as ensuring maintenance agreements and staff safety training. This framework ensures efficient operations and improves the overall quality of life and services within the Hajj environment.
Interior Minister Inspects Prophet’s Mosque Security Operations Center Madinah
Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz inspected on Saturday the progress of work at the Security Operations Center of the Prophet’s Mosque. Accompanied by the Governor of the Medina Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the interior minister was briefed on the center’s functions. The center utilizes top-tier technology to monitor worshipper movement and manage crowd flow within the mosque and its surrounding courtyards. During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud praised the efforts of the center’s staff to serve visitors and worshippers. Minister of Interior was accompanied by several officials.
Major General Al-Murabba Inspects Hajj Terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport
Director General of Passports Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba on Tuesday conducted an inspection of the Hajj terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to assess their readiness to receive pilgrims arriving for this year’s Hajj season. During the visit, Major General Al-Murabba reviewed the operational preparedness of the human and technical resources deployed by the General Directorate of Passports to ensure smooth and efficient entry procedures for pilgrims arriving by air, land, and sea. He emphasized the importance of delivering high-quality, accurate, and professional services, urging staff at the airport to uphold the highest standards in facilitating the pilgrims’ journey from arrival to departure.
Makkah Region Deputy Governor Chairs Central Hajj Committee Meeting
Under the directives of Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Region Governor, and Central Hajj Committee Chairman Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz chaired a virtual meeting of the committee to review plans and preparations for the upcoming Hajj season of 1446 AH. The meeting also checked the progress of ongoing projects that will be operated this season to facilitate for Hajj pilgrims. During the meeting, the Saudi Water Authority presented its projects and operational trials conducted to date for water and wastewater services in the holy sites for this Hajj season. These efforts include the execution of 10 projects aimed at enhancing the capacity and efficiency of operational reservoirs, improving water supply networks in the holy sites, and adding around 3,500 new toilets in Mina. The authority’s preparations also include three operational trials for both water and sewage networks as well as fire extinguishing and cooling systems. The committee further reviewed the progress of the Holy Makkah Municipality’s projects concerning new waste compactors to be added in the holy sites. It discussed initiatives from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services to use flexible rubber asphalt and thermal insulation coating for routes to reduce temperatures and enhance the comfort of walking pilgrims. The committee made the necessary recommendations regarding several agenda items.
Nine New Routes to Launch in Madinah Bus Network Tomorrow Madinah
The “Madinah Bus Network” will launch nine new routes tomorrow as part of the public transport system, increasing the total number of operational routes to 15. The expanded network now covers Madinah’s most densely populated districts and key areas. Al Madinah Region Development Authority, which oversees the project’s operations, confirmed that the bus fleet—comprising 177 vehicles—now serves more than 455 main and secondary stops across 639 kilometers of routes. Since its launch three years ago, the Madinah Bus Project has improved traffic flow on major roads, enhanced the quality of public transportation, and supported environmental sustainability by helping reduce vehicle emissions. During peak seasons such as Ramadan, the network’s continuous shuttle service has significantly eased the movement of worshippers and visitors to and from the Prophet’s Mosque. The authority emphasized that the buses are built to high standards, ensuring a comfortable, reliable, and safe service for all beneficiaries.
Saudi Arabia Launches Imam Training Course in the Philippines
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance officially launched its third qualification course for imams and preachers today in Manila, in which 50 scholars from various regions of the Philippines are taking part. The program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Islamic rulings and equip them with the necessary knowledge to effectively convey the tolerant teachings of Islam.
Indonesian President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Efforts in ‘Makkah Route Initiative,’ Its Role in Facilitating Indonesian Pilgrims’ Journey
President Prabowo Subianto of the Republic of Indonesia praised the significant efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the “Makkah Route Initiative” in organizing travel and Hajj procedures. President Subianto expressed his gratitude to all relevant authorities in the Kingdom for their efforts, which contribute to facilitating the journey of Indonesian pilgrims and reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to serving them. During his visit to the designated hall for the “Makkah Route Initiative” at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Indonesian president confirmed that the procedures ran smoothly and efficiently. He praised the Kingdom’s role in facilitating the pilgrims’ journey, from their reception and completion of procedures to their departure and arrival at the holy sites. The Ministry of Interior spearheads the implementation of this initiative in collaboration with several key government bodies, including the ministries of foreign affairs, health, Hajj and Umrah, and media, as well as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports.
Source: Majed_in_Makkah @ instagram
