During the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted a reception at Mina Palace, acknowledging the crucial roles played by officials, religious scholars, military leaders, and Hajj representatives. This gathering, held on behalf of King Salman, underscored the commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring the security of the Kingdom. The crown prince conveyed Eid greetings to all Saudi citizens, residents, and pilgrims, while commending the dedication of military personnel, security forces, government workers, and volunteers involved in this year’s pilgrimage operations.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s central duty to the Two Holy Mosques and holy sites, the crown prince reaffirmed the nation’s pledge to uphold security and stability. The event was attended by senior officials, including Gulf Cooperation Council country representatives, ministers, and scout groups engaged in Hajj activities. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, speaking for the security services, noted the success of this year’s Hajj security plans and lauded the Kingdom’s ongoing investment in pilgrim services, which has bolstered safety and operational efficiency.
This year’s Hajj season sees Saudi Arabia welcoming over 1.7 million pilgrims, with more than 1.54 million arriving from abroad and approximately 160,000 participating from within the Kingdom. Authorities reported an increase in pilgrim numbers compared to the previous year, facilitated by expanded infrastructure, digital services, and enhanced crowd-management systems at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
The Makkah Route Initiative also saw expansion this year, enabling hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to complete immigration and customs processes before leaving their home countries, thereby streamlining their arrival experience. Over 441,000 personnel, comprising security officers, healthcare workers, transport coordinators, and emergency responders, have been deployed to support Hajj operations and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
In addition to the events in Saudi Arabia, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in exchanging Eid greetings with leaders across the Islamic world, expressing hopes for sustained peace, stability, and prosperity throughout Muslim nations.
