Over half a million pilgrims arrive as Saudi Arabia prepares housing for two million ahead of Hajj

Dubai: As more than half a million pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj season, the Kingdom has stepped up preparations to welcome millions more.

Dr. Mohammed Batouk, Assistant Undersecretary for Pilgrims and Umrah Services at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, revealed that more than 3,000 housing units across Mecca and Medina have been prepared to accommodate over two million pilgrims.

Dr. Batouk stressed that the Kingdom’s sacred sites, including Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, are fully ready to receive pilgrims, thanks to a series of early-stage preparations that began immediately after last year’s Hajj.

These preparations include upgraded camp facilities, refined crowd management strategies, and enhanced service delivery frameworks.

“Our efforts started right after the conclusion of last Hajj season. Everything from the tents to the pilgrim grouping plans has been revisited and refined to ensure a smoother experience for every guest of God,” Dr. Batouk said.

A key player in ensuring the operational integrity of this massive undertaking is the Ministry’s Monitoring and Control Center, which oversees every step of the pilgrim’s journey, from visa issuance to the moment they depart the Kingdom.

The center monitors the coordination between government agencies and service providers, ensuring the real-time tracking of pilgrim transportation, accommodation readiness, and access to rituals.

“This is a complex journey involving thousands of operational steps,” Dr. Batouk explained. “We monitor them closely to ensure they are executed in a balanced, synchronized manner, all aimed at providing a seamless experience that reflects the tremendous efforts of our national institutions.”

The Control Center integrates technologies and data streams from multiple sources to enhance decision-making and improve service quality. It also plays a vital role in aligning efforts with Saudi Vision 2030, which places the service of pilgrims at the heart of national priorities.

So far, 504,600 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom for the 2025 Hajj, according to the Ministry. Of these, 493,100 arrived by air, 10,100 by land, and 1,400 by sea, representing 36 percent of the total visas issued this year.

Pilgrims began arriving from April 29 (Dhul Qadah 1), with the Ministry using official channels to welcome them warmly: “Welcome, Guests of the Most Gracious. You are most welcome and have a pleasant stay.”

The Ministry emphasized the importance of obtaining an official Hajj permit, which grants access to critical services and ensures safety, comfort, and full spiritual fulfillment during the sacred rituals.

 -- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE