Mecca opens its doors to the guests of God
In a scene of faith that repeats itself every year, the eyes of Muslims around the world turn towards Mecca, where caravans of pilgrims have begun arriving to perform the Hajj rituals. In this context, the first group of Russian pilgrims, numbering approximately 1,200, arrived in Mecca, representing the vanguard of the Russian pilgrims who will perform the Hajj this year, whose total number is estimated at around 14,000.
The warm welcome and generous hospitality of Saudi Arabia
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both its leadership and its people, has been known for its profound dedication to serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. In keeping with this long-standing tradition, the Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims from Arab Countries, through its "Guest Hospitality" arm, warmly welcomed Russian pilgrims, reflecting authentic Saudi heritage. The reception included offering blessed Zamzam water, dates, and Saudi coffee, as well as distributing roses and commemorative gifts that brought joy to the pilgrims' hearts.
The reception was attended by a number of officials, including board members Professor Fouad Bishara and Professor Muwaffaq Khoja, along with the CEO of “Ikram Al-Daif” Professor Saudi Eid, his deputy Professor Ghazi Radi, and those in charge of service centers 120 and 121 dedicated to serving Russian pilgrims.
Arrival of the first group of pilgrims from Green Tunisia
In the same spirit of faith and organization, Makkah welcomed the first group of 1,000 pilgrims from Tunisia. The Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims from Arab Countries (Ashraqat), through its "Guest Hospitality" arm, organized a variety of welcoming programs at Hospitality Center No. 110. These activities included distributing gifts and meals, showering the pilgrims with rose petals, and offering Zamzam water, reflecting the deep fraternal and historical ties between the Kingdom and the North African countries.
Improving Hajj services in line with Vision 2030
These efforts are of paramount importance both locally and internationally, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to developing the Hajj and Umrah system. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Countries Pilgrims' Guides, Mr. Mohammed Maajini, affirmed that "Ashraqat" is honored to serve Russian pilgrims for the fourth consecutive year, while its service to Tunisian pilgrims has been continuous since the establishment of the Arab Countries Pilgrims' Guides Foundation four decades ago. Mr. Maajini emphasized the complete readiness to receive pilgrims from all continents, noting the launch of several initiatives aimed at providing the highest quality services and enriching the pilgrim's journey, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Harnessing capabilities for the comfort of the pilgrims
For his part, the CEO of Ikram Al-Dhaif, Mr. Saudi Eid, welcomed the pilgrims from Russia and Tunisia, emphasizing the company's commitment to utilizing all available resources to provide the utmost comfort and convenience. He explained that these efforts are a direct result of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to care for those visiting the Two Holy Mosques. The Deputy CEO, Mr. Ghazi Radi, also stated that the company will provide services to more than 11,000 Tunisian pilgrims through five field service centers, implementing a variety of welcoming initiatives that reflect the authenticity of Saudi hospitality.
