المملكة: In pictures: 250 cooperation agreements expected at the Hajj conference in Jeddah

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him -, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region, opened today the activities of the fourth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition under the slogan “The Path to Hajj”, which is organized by The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in partnership with the Program for Serving the Guests of God, one of the programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The events will be held in the “Jeddah Super Dome” during the period from January 13 to 16, with wide participation from local and international bodies, enhancing the quality of services provided to the guests of God, and building bridges of cooperation with Hajj affairs offices and Hajj service providers.

Hajj conference and exhibition activities

The ceremony began with a speech by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, delivered on his behalf by His Royal Highness, Deputy Emir of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region, which stated:
“Your Highnesses, Your Eminences, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Ministers of Religious Affairs, Heads of Hajj Affairs Offices, Distinguished Attendees, may God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
His Highness continued: I am pleased to welcome all of you to your second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I am honored to convey to you the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him -, patron of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition in its fourth edition for the year 2025 AD, and I was honored – supported by him. God – to deliver a speech in his honorable position at this conference.
His Highness added: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been proud since its founding that God Almighty has honored it by serving the Two Holy Mosques, taking care of the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors who go to them, ensuring their security and safety, providing everything that would facilitate their performance of the rituals, and providing them with means of comfort and reassurance.

His Highness continued: The development projects witnessed by the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites come within the framework of the Kingdom’s keenness to make all efforts and harness the capabilities to improve Hajj and Umrah services.
His Highness stated that the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 paid great attention to serving the guests of God from their arrival until their safe departure home.
His Highness said: The Kingdom will continue, with God Almighty’s grace and success, to perform this great mission, sensing in this the greatness of responsibility and the honor of service.
In conclusion, we appreciate your attendance and participation, and we pray to God Almighty to grant us success in this conference to serve the guests of God from all parts of the earth.
May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.”

Hajj conference agreements in Jeddah

Then the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the attendees, noting that the conference in its current edition is witnessing the participation of 280 exhibitors from multiple sectors, and more than 100 speakers.
Among them are major service providers and those interested in Hajj from 95 countries around the world.
He explained that the conference will witness the signing of 250 cooperation agreements, with the launch of the updated version of the “Nask” application, which includes 100 additional services to facilitate services for the pilgrims.
He pointed out that the Ministry implemented a project to develop the experience of visiting Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa, and the number of its visitors increased from 4 million in 2022 to 13 million visitors in 2024, with a jump in the visitor satisfaction rate from 57% to 81%.
Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah confirmed that the number of pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom exceeded 18.5 million in 2024, an achievement that reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to provide the best services to the guests of God.

The number of pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims coming from abroad

The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, also delivered a speech by the guests of honor, in which he emphasized the exceptional efforts provided by the Kingdom to the guests of God, praising the qualitative services that the Kingdom is pleased with in the record of Islamic work.
He pointed to the role of the Muslim World League, which extends for more than 60 years, in serving the pilgrims of the Holy House of God, praising the efforts made by the wise leadership to serve the guests of God.
The conference will witness more than 75 dialogue sessions discussing innovative ideas and solutions to improve the experience of the pilgrims, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Improving the experience of the guests of God

The ceremony witnessed the signing of a number of important agreements, in addition to the launch of major projects aimed at developing Hajj and Umrah services.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Highness the Deputy Emir of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region received a souvenir from the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and the winners of the “Labitum” award and the success partners were honored.
The conference’s activities will last for four days, as it is an international platform aimed at developing the Hajj and Umrah services system, and promoting innovation through the participation of innovators and entrepreneurs.