First Daily Press Conference for the 1445 AH Hajj Season
المؤتمر الصحفي اليومي الأول لموسم حج 1445هـ
The Ministry of Interior held its first daily press conference for the 1445 AH Hajj season. The conference featured the Ministry's security spokesperson and official spokespersons from the Ministries of Hajj and Umrah, Health, and Transport and Logistics Services. Colonel Talal bin Abdulmohsen Al-Shalhoub, the security spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, announced the successful implementation of the plan's first phase to transport pilgrims to the holy sites smoothly and with ease and tranquillity. He confirmed the completion of the transportation of pilgrims from Makkah and Masjid Al-Haram to Mina to spend the day of Tarwiyah, where they will stay overnight in preparation for their move to Arafah. Colonel Al-Shalhoub stated that the Unified Security Operations Center (911) in the Makkah region received 282,450 calls from 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 AH to date, covering security reports and service inquiries, all of which were addressed. He emphasized that the participating security and governmental entities, fully prepared, will continue to carry out their duties at the holy sites according to the approved plans and regulations for this Hajj season. The Hajj Security Forces will continue verifying that domestic pilgrims have the necessary permits at all entrances to the holy city and the routes and paths to Masjid Al-Haram, enforcing a strict security cordon around the holy sites until the end of the Hajj season. He highlighted that the number of fraudulent campaigns detected reached 160 since 20 Shawwal 1445 AH, with 135,098 vehicles turned back since 25 Shawwal 1445 AH. The number of individuals without permits turned back from Makkah since 25 Shawwal 1445 AH was 250,381, and 6,135 violators of residency, labour, and border security regulations were detained in Makkah since 10 Shawwal 1445 AH. Additionally, 256,481 visitors holding non-Hajj-related visas were deported from 15 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1445 AH to date, while 159 violators of Hajj regulations were detained from 25 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1445 AH to 7 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 AH. The spokesperson reiterated that Saudi Arabia will firmly prevent any attempts to turn the holy sites into platforms for disruptive chants or actions that deviate from the sanctity and spirituality of Hajj. The authorities will deal firmly with anyone attempting to disrupt Hajj security under any pretext. Dr. Ayedh Al-Ghunaim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs, confirmed the completion of the pilgrim ascent operations to the holy sites this morning to spend the day of Tarwiyah in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. He emphasized that all arrangements have begun for the ascent to Arafah according to the agreed schedules through the readiness of the entire transportation and dispatch system, which was ensured through five successful simulation exercises involving over 15,000 buses and 40,000 field participants over the past five months. He noted significant infrastructure projects in the holy sites, including water networks and enhanced electrical capacity, improving service quality and accommodation standards, thanks to the efforts of the Ministries of Energy, Environment, Water, Agriculture, and the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites. The digital transformation initiatives, especially the Nusuk card, have improved service delivery and reduced negative practices. The printed QR code on the Nusuk card was scanned over 3 million times. Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaaly, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, detailed the integrated health services provided to pilgrims. Nearly 35,000 health workers and 5,500 volunteers are delivering care at various sites through 189 hospitals, health centers, mobile clinics, 98 ambulance centers, 14 health monitoring centers at entry points, 32 mobile supply trucks, 12 laboratories, 6,515 beds, over 800 intensive care beds, 280 beds for heat stroke and exhaustion, 729 ambulances, seven medical helicopters, and emergency and rapid response vehicles. The 937-call center offers multilingual services, supplemented by the virtual health hospital and virtual clinics. He added that 99% of domestic pilgrims met the health requirements, and 150 permits were cancelled to ensure public health. The overall health status of pilgrims is reassuring, with no significant public health threats reported. Salih bin Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services spokesperson outlined the operational plans for transporting pilgrims via air, sea, and land. Saudi airports received over 19,000 flights from 90 countries, with 72 airlines participating. The peak day saw over 650 flights, averaging one every 130 seconds. The transportation network for pilgrims arriving by land was enhanced by scanning over 13,000 kilometres of roads. The Haramain Train operated more than 2,700 trips, and the Jeddah Islamic Port received seven ships carrying Sudanese pilgrims. The Mashair Train began operations yesterday and will transport over 360,000 pilgrims between the holy sites tonight. He mentioned introducing 32 new technologies, including 17 used for the first time, such as successful aerial taxi trials and flexible rubber roads for pedestrians. A special pedestrian tunnel in Arafah was inaugurated to separate foot traffic from vehicles. The road cooling technology expanded tenfold from last year to cover 40,000 square meters, reaching areas around Namirah Mosque. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services coordinates with all government agencies to ensure pilgrims' comfort and safety throughout their Hajj journey.