MADINAH: Thousands of pilgrims bid farewell to Makkah on Monday after completing the Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, and continued their spiritual journey to Madinah with cherished memories.
The Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security in Madinah have finalised preparations to welcome pilgrims arriving from Makkah.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive security and organisational plan designed to ensure the safe, smooth, and orderly arrival and movement of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
The forces highlighted that the operational strategy centres on managing the flow of pilgrims, streamlining entry and exit in Madinah, easing traffic congestion, and maintaining fluid transportation.
Preparations also involve bolstering the security presence along major routes, offering guidance and assistance to pilgrims, and ensuring emergency teams are fully equipped to handle medical situations and other unforeseen incidents.
These efforts reflect the ongoing commitment of the Kingdom’s leadership to support pilgrims and uphold the highest standards of safety and security throughout their journey between the holy sites and Madinah.
Meanwhile, 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Hajj and Umrah, also travelled to Madinah after completing Hajj.
During their stay, they will pray at the Prophet’s Mosque, visit Quba Mosque, and explore significant historical landmarks.
Pilgrims expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for the comprehensive services provided, which ensured their needs were met and enabled smooth movement between the holy sites.
Pilgrims shared their happiness at successfully completing the Hajj rituals, including standing at Mount Arafat, spending the night in Muzdalifah, observing the days of Tashreeq in Mina, performing the stoning of the Jamarat, and concluding with the farewell Tawaf.
A well-coordinated programme is in place to facilitate the transfer of pilgrims from their accommodations to Madinah airport, managed by the Hajj and Visit Committee in cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure timely departures.
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport successfully managed the pre-Hajj arrival phase, smoothly receiving 719,400 pilgrims—representing 49 percent of all air arrivals this season—via 1,910 flights from 196 cities across 53 countries.
The General Directorate of Passports confirmed its full readiness to process pilgrim departures across the Kingdom’s air, land, and sea ports, supported by advanced security technologies and well-trained personnel.
In Jeddah, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser conducted an inspection of King Abdulaziz International Airport to evaluate its preparedness for outbound pilgrim traffic.
He reviewed procedures related to reception, departure hall operations, service quality, and overall efficiency to ensure a seamless travel experience aligned with international standards.
