Comprehensive preparations for the Umrah season during Ramadan
His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, chaired the committee meeting at the Governorate headquarters in Jeddah. This meeting was held under the direct guidance of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of the Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, to review the latest preparations and arrangements made by the relevant authorities to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, which coincides with the peak of the Umrah season.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the operational plans of the relevant authorities, which focus on activating performance indicators to ensure the provision of high-quality services to pilgrims. The readiness of all facilities within the Grand Mosque was also reviewed, including the circumambulation area (Mataf), the expansion buildings, the surrounding courtyards, bridges, pedestrian tunnels, and temporary transportation stations, to ensure the capacity to accommodate the expected influx of people and facilitate their movement with ease and smoothness.
Historical background of serving the Two Holy Mosques
Since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed paramount importance on serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. Managing peak seasons, particularly Ramadan and Hajj, is a monumental task requiring coordination at the highest levels. Over the decades, the Grand Mosque has undergone successive and massive expansion projects, the largest in history, aimed at increasing its capacity and developing the surrounding services. These ongoing efforts reflect the Kingdom's leading role as the heart of the Islamic world and its commitment to providing every means of comfort and safety for the guests of God, fulfilling one of the most important goals of Vision 2030: enhancing the Hajj and Umrah experience.
Impact and importance of early preparations
These preparations are of paramount importance on multiple levels. Locally, they contribute to stimulating economic activity in Mecca and surrounding cities, providing thousands of seasonal job opportunities. Regionally and internationally, the successful management of the Umrah season during Ramadan enhances the Kingdom's standing and global reputation in efficiently and effectively managing large crowds. It also sends a reassuring message to millions of Muslims worldwide who yearn to visit the holy sites, emphasizing that their safety and comfort are the top priority.
The committee discussed development initiatives aimed at enriching the Umrah experience, most notably providing guide maps and multilingual interactive screens, and activating luggage storage centers to facilitate movement within the Grand Mosque and its surroundings. The importance of integrated efforts between all governmental and private sectors to ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of worshippers and pilgrims was also emphasized.
The health system is on high alert
On the health front, the meeting reviewed the readiness of the healthcare system, which includes health centers throughout the central area, hospitals equipped with the latest technologies, field ambulance teams, and helipads designated for medical evacuations. This integrated system aims to ensure a rapid response to emergencies and provide necessary medical care to pilgrims around the clock, thus enhancing the efficiency of healthcare services provided during the peak season of Ramadan.
