Jeddah

Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who is currently in Saudi Arabia to finalize arrangements for the pilgrimage this year, embarked on a train journey to the "Holi city of Madinah" to review Hajj arrangements and for a meeting with the Governor of Madinah.

Madinah is one of Islam's holiest cities. Will visit the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, and the periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam. The Minister posted the video of he boarding the high speed train on X:

Journey to the "Holi city of Madinah" by train to review Hajj arrangements and meeting with the Governor of Madinah.
Madinah is one of Islam's holiest cities. Will visit the periphery of the revered Prophet's Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi and at the periphery of the Quba Mosque –… https://t.co/xdwki2JqXN pic.twitter.com/G0yikkrm80

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 14, 2025

Rijiju signed the Haj Agreement 2025 with H.E. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. The new agreement allocates 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for Hajj 2025.

Kiren Rijiju wrote on X after finalizing the deal with Al-Rabiah: “We are committed to providing the best possible services to all our Hajj pilgrims,” Rijiju wrote on X. The fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, began on Monday in Jeddah.

Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the event, which was attended by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Islamic ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from 87 countries.

India’s Hajj pilgrims quota is next only to Indonesia’s which will send 221,000 pilgrims under a similar agreement signed by Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and the Saudi Hajj minister in Jeddah.

Haj Agreement 2025 signed with H.E. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Kindom of Saudi Arabia. Finalized a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India for #Haj2025 🕋 We are committed to provide best possible services to all our Haj Pilgrims. pic.twitter.com/YdzxEdZLjJ

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 13, 2025

Al-Rabiah announced that the total number of pilgrims and Umrah performers visiting Makkah and Madinah in 2024 reached a historic record of 18,535,689 individuals, including 16,924,689 Umrah performers and 1,611,310 Hajj pilgrims.

The four-day event, themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” features more than 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovations and technologies to enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience.

Key topics include logistics, transportation, crowd management, housing, hospitality, and catering — pillars for improving rituals and pilgrim services, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The event includes 47 discussion sessions, 50 workshops, and more than 130 local and international speakers addressing sustainability, eco-friendly technologies, AI in crowd management, and digital solutions while highlighting opportunities for startups and innovators in the Hajj sector.

Saed Al-Jahni, chairman of the Coordination Council for Domestic Pilgrims Service Facilities, told Arab News that the event reflected Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance the experience of the Guests of Allah and provide top-tier services.

He added: “All relevant parties gather to showcase Saudi Arabia’s Hajj efforts, attract thought leaders and innovators to exchange knowledge, anticipate future trends, share best practices, and foster partnerships, agreements, and initiatives. The event also engages researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to tackle challenges and improve services for the Guests of Allah.”

Mohammed Muajini, chairman of Ashraqat Hajj company, said that the aim was to showcase the company’s achievements and future initiatives to enhance Hajj and Umrah services through technology and artificial intelligence, in line with Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umm Al-Qura University is organizing the “Humanizing the Holy Sites” hackathon, inviting university students, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, and specialists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that improve the pilgrim experience while reducing environmental impact.

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A ministerial session will be held where key ministers and officials from government entities will discuss and present new and ongoing services, projects and initiatives designed to improve the pilgrim journey.