The Ministry of Hajj has employed technical facilities and procedures to improve the services provided to pilgrims during this year's Hajj season, amidst an integrated system of preparations and utilization of material and Human Resources coinciding with the start of receiving the first batches of pilgrims, and the concerted efforts of all parties concerned with serving the pilgrims. The ministry, under the guidance of the Saudi leadership and the follow-up from the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, has finalized its operational plan for the Hajj season this year, since the beginning of the season; which focuses on improving the services provided to the pilgrims since the day of their arrival until their departure. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced earlier opening of registration for pilgrims from inside the Kingdom, including citizens and residents who the have valid residencies, wishing to perform the Hajj ritual for the current season of 1443 AH, to be selected by the E-draw system, provided that the applicant's age is not more than 65 years, with birthdates starting from 1-7-1957. The ministry said that priority will be given to those who have never performed Hajj and have completed immunization per the health status shown in the "Tawakkalna" application. The ministry started receiving batches of pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, whose number amounted to 955 pilgrims coming from Indonesia and Bangladesh, amidst integrated preparations, with more pilgrims continue to arrive from different parts of the world continues. The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Suleiman Mashat, confirmed in a statement to "SPA" that the Saudi government has worked to harness all efforts to provide the best services to pilgrims, highlighting the ministry's readiness to integrate with all government agencies to complete all pilgrims' procedures easily and smoothly, starting with issuing visas, verification of biometric characteristics and health status, and arranging transportation, catering and housing operations in partnership with all parties involved in Hajj until their safe departure after performing the rituals. The minister official warned against dealing with bogus entities that claim to provide Hajj services and options as part of violating campaigns, stressing that the application for Hajj from inside the Kingdom for citizens and residents can only be made through the "Etmarna" application and via registration via the link: https://localhaj.haj.gov.sa. "The electronic portal for domestic pilgrims, which the ministry has designated to receive requests from citizens and residents for this year, is the only means to reserve the services of companies and institutions for authorized domestic pilgrims, to achieve transparency, ensuring supervision and control processes and applying all health and precautionary measures related to the coronavirus. The monitoring and follow-up committees in the ministry are also following up on all violations, unauthorized campaigns, and fake announcements of the issuance of Hajj permits through social media sites. Legal measures will be taken in cooperation with the security authorities against violators," he said.
