Introduction: An unprecedented media achievement during the Hajj season of 1447 AH
In an achievement reflecting the significant development of the Saudi media system, Saleh Al-Thubaiti, head of the Unified Media Center for Hajj, confirmed that media coverage of the 1447 AH Hajj season achieved record-breaking figures, exceeding 11 billion views worldwide. This came during a press briefing held in the holy city of Mecca, where the institutional integration accompanying this largest global religious event was highlighted. The Saudi media system works in complete harmony to reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's tremendous efforts in serving the pilgrims and conveying the humanitarian and meticulously organized image of the Hajj rituals to all corners of the globe.
Historical context and evolution of media coverage of Hajj
Throughout history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on serving pilgrims and facilitating their spiritual journey. With rapid technological advancements, the Kingdom's strategy has shifted from mere on-the-ground organization to live and direct coverage of every detail of the Hajj. Historically, coverage was limited to local television and radio broadcasts and a few international agencies. Today, however, under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, digital media and content creators have become essential partners in conveying the profound message of the Hajj. This transformation enhances transparency and highlights the logistical, security, and health capabilities that the Kingdom dedicates to ensuring the safety of millions of pilgrims and facilitating their rituals.
The “Welcome” identity and the collaboration of 40 government agencies
Al-Thubaiti explained that the visual and verbal media identity, “Hayyakum Allah” (Welcome), with which the Kingdom greeted the pilgrims to the Holy Mosque this year, was not merely a slogan, but rather a unifying theme for all media coverage and digital platforms. This identity embodies the highest values of hospitality and warmth that characterize the Saudi leadership and people. To ensure the success of this coverage, the Unified Hajj Media Center is working in strategic partnership with more than 40 government entities. This high level of coordination aims to organize media operations and facilitate the tasks of field teams in both the public and private sectors. It is worth noting that preparations for this exceptional season began early, as early as the 15th of Dhul-Hijjah last year, which underscores the commitment to sustainable strategic planning.
Local, regional and international impact of coverage
The impact of this media success extends far beyond Saudi Arabia, reaching profound regional and international dimensions. Domestically, it reinforces the pride of Saudi citizens in their country's ability to efficiently manage the world's largest human gathering. Regionally and internationally, this extensive coverage, encompassing over 100,000 media items in various languages, presents a positive image of Islam, refutes misconceptions, and highlights the humanitarian and organizational aspects of the pilgrimage. Furthermore, the Ministry of Media's support for international content creators has facilitated the dissemination of hundreds of thousands of interactive pieces across social media platforms, allowing the entire world to experience the spirituality of Hajj in real time.
Logistical support for more than 150 media outlets
In the context of empowering media professionals, Al-Thubaiti noted the presence of more than 150 media outlets and the participation of over 3,000 local and international journalists covering the 1447 AH Hajj season. The Ministry of Media provides all forms of logistical and technical support to enable them to document the events. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority is broadcasting the Hajj live and digitally across eight television and radio channels, hosting more than 1,100 guests. The General Authority for Media Regulation is also facilitating procedures for media professionals and accompanying Hajj delegations. To further enhance this effort, the Ministry made open-source media materials available through the Virtual Media Center and the International Communications Contribution Center (CICC). These efforts culminated in the successful third edition of the Hajj Media Forum, which welcomed more than 13,500 visitors, demonstrating the continued commitment of Saudi media to its noble mission of serving Islam and Muslims.
