JEDDAH — The first meeting of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, chaired by Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal, reviewed the progress of development projects currently being implemented at the holy sites. The meeting was held in line with the directive of Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. The committee reviewed the authorities' plans and preparations for the Hajj of 2025 and the progress rates of the ongoing projects, which will be operational during this year's Hajj. Addressing the meeting, Prince Saud bin Mishaal stressed the need to implement the leadership's directives, which always emphasize the importance of early preparation for the Hajj season and the integration of efforts across all sectors to provide the necessary services to the guests of God, in a way ensuring their highest levels of comfort. The meeting discussed the latest developments related to the full readiness of the operational plans of the relevant authorities to be implemented during the upcoming Hajj. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the development projects currently being implemented in the holy sites, most notably the restoration of the mosques in Mina and in Arafat, and the Kidana Company projects, including shading pedestrian paths in Mina over an area of approximately 50,000 square meters, shading and cooling paths in Arafat over an area of 60,000 square meters, installing canopies equipped with cooling mist fans in the Jabal al-Rahmah area over an area of approximately 785 square meters to reduce the impact of direct sunlight and moderate the climate, and a project to mitigate the impact of heat stress in the Namirah Mosque over an area of 85,000 square meters. The committee reviewed the afforestation and vegetation projects in the holy sites, which aim to plant 10,000 trees to improve air quality and help lower temperatures and reduce their impact on the guests of God, as well as the project to establish and develop 400 water coolers designated for drinking, and the establishment of rest areas for pilgrims covering an area of 28,000 square meters between the holy sites. The projects include the establishment of 15 emergency and first aid centers, in addition to 71 emergency and first aid launch centers distributed along the Hajj route. Their role focuses on providing urgent medical and therapeutic services, as well as logistical assistance to the pilgrims, such as distribution of water and snacks and offering guidance services. The progress of the implementation of the second phase of the Muzdalifah Haram Path Project also figured in the discussion of the meeting. This project, which covers an area of 170,000 square meters, includes the implementation of rubber flooring, green spaces, rest areas, water fountains, and misting fans. The project also includes the construction of 64 two-story restroom complexes, and renovation of135 compactor bin sites in Mina to increase waste storage capacity during the Hajj season.
