Minister of Information: 18 million Umrah pilgrims in 2025 and the launch of the national campaign for charitable work
Saudi Minister of Media, Salman Al-Dossari, revealed an unprecedented qualitative leap in the Hajj and Umrah sector, announcing that the number of pilgrims coming from abroad has grown to exceed 18 million pilgrims during the year 2025. This announcement came during the government press conference held on Monday, which witnessed a review of the most prominent national achievements with the participation of a number of ministers and officials.
A surge in the number of Umrah pilgrims and the goals of Vision 2030
This record number is a culmination of the significant efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the framework of the "Guests of God Service Program," one of the key programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This rapid growth reflects the success of government strategies aimed at streamlining arrival procedures, developing the infrastructure of the Two Holy Mosques, and digitizing services provided to visitors. This achievement confirms the Kingdom's steady progress towards realizing its ambitious goal of hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030, further solidifying its position as a leading global spiritual destination.
Launch of the national campaign for charitable work
In a related development concerning humanitarian and community work, the Minister of Media announced the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the sixth edition of the "National Campaign for Charitable Work." This campaign is a cornerstone for strengthening the values of social solidarity in the Kingdom, providing a reliable and secure platform for delivering donations to those in need with ease and convenience. This reflects the wise leadership's commitment to supporting the most vulnerable groups and maximizing the impact of charitable work.
The role of artificial intelligence in promoting giving
The conference featured a presentation by Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), who highlighted the pivotal role of technology in serving charitable work. Dr. Al-Ghamdi explained how data and artificial intelligence, through the "Ihsan Platform," contribute to enhancing the efficiency of charitable work and ensuring that support reaches those who deserve it with high accuracy and absolute transparency, thus strengthening donor trust and improving the quality of life for beneficiaries.
Transformation in the non-profit and housing sector
For his part, Majid Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, discussed the strategic transformation journey of the third (non-profit) sector within the municipalities and housing system. He highlighted the efforts made to enable this sector to contribute effectively to national development and provide sustainable housing and community solutions, emphasizing the integration between the government and non-profit sectors to achieve the well-being of citizens.
The Kingdom's humanitarian role regionally
The Minister of Information concluded his remarks by emphasizing that humanitarian aid is a firmly established approach in the Kingdom’s policy, noting the launch of 48 development and relief projects in Yemen, which highlights the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting stability and development in the region, and extending a helping hand to brotherly and friendly peoples in various circumstances.
