MAKKAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued an order to host 2,322 Hajj pilgrims from around the world.These include 1,300 pilgrims from more than 88 countries;1,000 pilgrims from the families of the martyrs, prisoners and wounded Palestinians; and 22 pilgrims from the families of conjoined twins, who underwent successful surgical separation in the Kingdom. The hosting is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. On this occasion, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and General Supervisor of the Program Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh extended his thanks and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for this generous royal gesture, saying that this embodies their constant keenness on the care of Islam and Muslims from all over the world. This will also help to deepen the bonds of unity and brotherhood through the guests' gathering for Hajj at the expense of King Salman amidst an integrated system of services arranged by the ministry in Makkah and Madinah," he said. Minister Al-Sheikh stressed that this hosting comes as an extension of the great work undertaken by the wise leadership in the service of Islam and Muslims. It also highlights the leading position that the Kingdom occupies at the level of the Islamic world as it hosts the Qibla of Muslims and serves as a pioneer of every Islamic work that benefits the entire Islamic Ummah. "Since the issuance of the royal order, the ministry has made elaborate preparations to host these pilgrims and prepare a strategic plan for it through a number of committees whose mission is to take care of the King's guests from departure from their respective countries until their arrival in the Kingdom, receiving them and enabling them to perform their Umrah and Hajj rituals in ease and comfort, in addition to facilitating their visit to Madinah, and offer prayer at the Prophet's Mosque," he said. It is noteworthy that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, has hosted more than 60,000 male and female pilgrims ever since its launching more than 26 years ago.
