A warm welcome for the first group of Moroccan pilgrims
In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah received the first flight of beneficiaries of the "Makkah Route" initiative from the Kingdom of Morocco on Monday. The plane, arriving from Rabat-Salé International Airport, carried the first group of Moroccan pilgrims for this year's Hajj season (1445 AH). They were greeted by officials from various participating organizations who presented them with roses and Zamzam water as a gesture of hospitality.
What is the “Makkah Route” initiative? Historical background and strategic objectives
The Makkah Route Initiative is a pioneering initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Interior and is part of the Guests of God Service Program, one of the key programs of Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative was first launched in 2017 (1438 AH) as a pilot program before expanding to include several countries in subsequent years. Its primary aim is to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims by streamlining their entry procedures into the Kingdom at their home airports.
These procedures include issuing the electronic Hajj visa, collecting biometric data (fingerprints), and completing Saudi passport control procedures at the departure airport after verifying that all necessary health requirements are met. Additionally, pilgrims' luggage is coded and sorted according to their transportation and accommodation arrangements within the Kingdom, ensuring its direct and hassle-free delivery to their accommodations.
The importance and expected impact of the initiative
The “Makkah Route” initiative is of great importance on several levels. At the local level, it effectively contributes to easing pressure and congestion in the arrival halls of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, as pilgrims benefiting from the initiative are able to bypass passport and customs queues upon arrival and move directly to the designated buses that transport them to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah with ease and convenience.
On the international level, the initiative reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to harnessing the latest technologies and innovative solutions to serve pilgrims, thus reinforcing its leading position in the Islamic world. It also contributes to strengthening bilateral relations with the beneficiary countries, which this year include seven: Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Côte d'Ivoire. Since its launch, the initiative has served more than 1.2 million pilgrims, demonstrating its success and broad positive impact.
Integrating national efforts to serve the guests of God
It is worth mentioning that the Saudi Ministry of Interior is overseeing the implementation of the initiative in its eighth year in cooperation with the partners in success from the Ministries of: Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, Media, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Guests of God Service Program, and the General Directorate of Passports, which embodies a unique model of governmental integration to provide an exceptional and facilitated Hajj experience.
