The organizational matters of the Hajj season 2023 was discussed at the OIC headquarters

Jeddah, June 13, 2023 – H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), took part in a meeting of Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and Consuls General of the OIC Member States with Tawfiq Al-Rabia, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, dedicated to the organization of the Hajj season of this year.

OIC Secretary General Hussain Brahim Taha delivered welcoming remarks and praised the efforts of the leadership of the Kingdom and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia to facilitate the performance of religious rituals by pilgrims.

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Ar-Rabia, told about the measures taken by Saudi Government and its authorities to create favorable conditions, ensure the safety and health of pilgrims arriving for Hajj from different countries. According to him, special attention is paid to transport and logistics services.

In this context, the Head of the Ministry noted the introduction of a new service «The Road to Mecca», through which pilgrims have the opportunity to pass passport control and other necessary procedures at the airports of the Kingdom in an expedited manner. In addition, the use of digital technologies and specially designed applications will also facilitate the process of the pilgrims' stay during the religious rites.

Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Dean, Diyauddin Bamahrama, the Ambassador of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia, drew attention to the need to establish a coordination between the Ministry and the diplomatic corps to resolve operational issues related to the pilgrims. In addition, Dean conveyed the wishes of the heads of diplomatic missions to facilitate the access of diplomats to Hajj missions and pilgrims from their countries, given the restrictions imposed on movement in the holy cities for the Hajj period.

In addition, representatives of the diplomatic corps voiced a number of proposals, including increasing the number of airports in the Kingdom to receive pilgrims, facilitating the process of biometric verification of pilgrims upon arrival, increasing the quota allocated for some countries, as well as reducing the cost of Hajj services.

For his part, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia assured that all the proposals and voiced wishes will be thoroughly considered and taken into account.