On Behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH the Crown Prince Hosts Annual Hajj Reception for Heads of State, Senior Officials, and Guests
Mina, May 29, 2026, SPA -- On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, hosted yesterday at the Royal Court in Mina Palace the annual reception for heads of state, senior Islamic figures, guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, guests of government entities, heads of delegations, and heads of pilgrim affairs offices who performed Hajj this year.
Among those attending were President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Chad Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Prime Minister of Mauritania Mokhtar Ould Djay, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea Amadou Oury Bah.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delivered the following speech:
"Your Excellencies, Highnesses, and distinguished guests, pilgrims performing Hajj, honorable attendees,
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, we are pleased to welcome you and extend congratulations to you and all Muslims on the occasion of blessed Eid Al-Adha, praying to Allah to return it upon the Islamic nation with goodness and peace.
Allah has honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with caring for the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites and serving their visitors. We affirm that, with Allah’s help and guidance, we will continue the blessed efforts undertaken by the Kings of the Kingdom since the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in carrying out this great responsibility.
In conclusion, we pray to Allah to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and righteous deeds, return them safely to their homelands, and preserve our countries while granting continued security and prosperity.
Wishing you well on this blessed occasion.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you."
Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program Committee Tawfig Al-Rabiah also delivered a speech outlining preparations and efforts that began on Dhu Al-Hijjah 12 of the previous year under the supervision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and with direct support and follow-up from HRH the Crown Prince. He said this approach reflects the Kingdom’s longstanding commitment to pilgrims and care for their spiritual journey.
He noted that under the supervision of the Supreme Hajj Committee and the Hajj Projects Management Office, which includes more than 60 government entities, efforts were unified and performance integrated.
In service development, direct contracting was opened for pilgrim affairs offices in a competitive environment among qualified national companies. Contracts for more than one million pilgrims in the holy sites were completed more than six months before the season began. He described this as a historic achievement reflecting high readiness and early preparation.
Al-Rabiah also highlighted the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, which reinforced discipline and facilitated crowd management in a safe environment, enhancing smooth movement and organizational efficiency.
In the energy sector, he noted that electrical networks were fully automated and connected through more than 70 kilometers of fiber-optic networks. He also highlighted the implementation of Mina 7 with a capacity of 134 megavolts and upgrades to electrical distribution networks exceeding 130 kilometers.
Regarding the water system, he said more than eight million cubic meters of water were supplied to Makkah and the holy sites.
In transportation, more than 173,000 flights from 366 destinations worldwide were received. More than 5,300 trips on the Haramain High Speed Railway and more than 2,000 trips on Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro were also operated, supported by more than 24,000 transport buses.
In the health sector, bed capacity exceeded 20,000, including 3,800 beds in the holy sites staffed by more than 52,000 qualified healthcare personnel, alongside implementation of the health capability certificate.
Regarding infrastructure, he stated that the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites implemented more than 25 development projects.
In digital transformation, the Nusuk platform was enhanced to provide more than 130 digital services, facilitating the pilgrim’s journey from the home country through completion of rituals. The electronic path also improved the efficiency of procedures related to pilgrim services, including contract management, visa issuance, monitoring systems, and the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence.
Al-Rabiah affirmed that the Ministry of Media contributed to raising pilgrims’ awareness and broadcasting Hajj rituals worldwide, while the Ministry of Tourism supported the provision and development of accommodation in Makkah and Madinah. He also praised the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing for enhancing municipal services and infrastructure alongside efforts by related entities, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector in a unified system serving pilgrims.
A speech on behalf of the Muslim World League was delivered by President of the High Islamic Council of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and member of the Islamic Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League Sheikh Dr. Mabrouk Zaid El-Khair. He stressed that Hajj is a great pillar of worship that now draws vast numbers, requiring all means to ensure pilgrims perform rituals with comfort and tranquility. He added that serving the Two Holy Mosques is an honor undertaken with merit and competence.
He said that among the greatest benefits of Hajj, after fulfilling the obligation, is strengthening the unity, compassion, and solidarity of the Islamic nation, as pilgrims gather in a unique scene united in worship, purpose, and devotion.
He prayed that Allah reward the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their efforts, leadership, and continuous development in serving pilgrims and caring for visitors to the Grand Mosque.
A speech was also delivered on behalf of the heads of pilgrim affairs offices by Secretary of State to the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, in charge of Social Integration in the Kingdom of Morocco Abdeljabbar Er-Rachidi.
He expressed deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s continued efforts under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in serving Islam and Muslims, caring for the Two Holy Mosques, and serving pilgrims, making Hajj a global model of organization, management, and care.
He also expressed appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince for his inspiring leadership and ambitious vision, which advanced the Hajj and Umrah system and elevated services provided to pilgrims to unprecedented levels under Saudi Vision 2030. He noted the continued commitment to pilgrims’ comfort and safety through advanced technologies.
He emphasized that despite global challenges and developments, pilgrims continue to feel confidence and reassurance in the Kingdom’s readiness, organization, and care. He added that Hajj under the Kingdom’s leadership remains a global model of security, organization, and service.
The guests then had the honor of greeting HRH the Crown Prince.
The reception concluded with a luncheon attended by all guests with HRH the Crown Prince.
-- SPA
