- ARAB NEWS
- 25 May 2025
Since 1975
RIYADH: King Salman has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj this year under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation.
The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, who is general supervisor of the program, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and praised the directive as a testament to the leadership’s dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s position in the Islamic world.
Al-Alsheikh said that following the royal directive, the ministry mobilized all of its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to guests.
A comprehensive implementation plan has been prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural and educational programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims’ spiritual and intellectual experience.
Al-Alsheikh said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation was designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.
Since its inception in 1996, the program has hosted about 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries.
The ministry has provided these guests with a range of logistical, religious, health and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.
Al-Alsheikh said that this hosting initiative showed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims.
The program aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030’s Islamic and humanitarian goals.
