King Salman will cover the expenses of sacrificial offerings for guests of the Hajj program 1445 AH
In a generous gesture reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing care for pilgrims, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, has personally covered the costs of sacrificial offerings for all pilgrims hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation this year (1445 AH). This royal generosity encompasses 2,500 pilgrims from over 104 countries worldwide, who are performing their rituals under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
General context and historical background of the program
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program is one of the most prominent initiatives reflecting the Kingdom's leading role in serving Islam and Muslims. Established during the reign of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz (may God have mercy on him), the program has continued and developed under subsequent kings, becoming a firmly established annual tradition. The program aims to host thousands of Muslims from around the world to perform Hajj and Umrah at the King's personal expense, providing them with a comprehensive system of high-quality services that ensure they can perform their rituals in comfort, ease, and peace of mind. Guests are typically selected from among prominent Islamic figures, academic elites, media professionals, and families of martyrs and those injured from countries such as Palestine, Yemen, and Sudan, thus strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity within the Islamic world.
The importance of the initiative and its expected impact
This generous gesture of covering the costs of the sacrificial offering (Hadi), one of the obligations of Hajj for those performing Tamattu' or Qiran, aims to alleviate the financial burden on visiting pilgrims and enable them to fully focus on the spiritual and devotional aspects of their journey. Domestically, this initiative reinforces the Kingdom's established image as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the servant of their visitors, highlighting the wise leadership's commitment to providing the highest levels of care for the guests of God. Regionally and internationally, this generosity solidifies the Kingdom's position as the beating heart of the Islamic world and deepens diplomatic and popular ties with the pilgrims' countries of origin, leaving a lasting positive impression on their hearts and memories.
His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and General Supervisor of the Program, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, explained that this generous sponsorship from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is an extension of his constant giving and profound concern for the well-being of the Muslim pilgrims. He added, “This gracious gesture is a continuation of the care and attention that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – bestow upon the program’s guests, and their dedication to providing all resources and services to enable them to perform the Hajj rituals in a spiritual atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.” His Excellency prayed to God Almighty to protect the wise leadership, to reward them abundantly for their blessed efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, and to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and return them safely to their homelands.
