DistantNews
Albudaiwi: GCC Countries Activate Several Alternative Logistics Corridors
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

Albudaiwi: GCC Countries Activate Several Alternative Logistics Corridors

From Asharq Al-Awsat · (8h ago) English Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Syrian pilgrims are receiving exceptional services from Saudi authorities for the Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Hajj Director.
  • This year, 22,500 Syrian pilgrims are participating, with logistical arrangements and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah already prepared.
  • The selection process prioritized the elderly, with 65% of accepted applicants being from this age group, and a special grant includes families of those killed or wounded in conflict.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is a cornerstone of Islamic practice, and for Syrian pilgrims, the experience this year is marked by a profound sense of gratitude for the exceptional services provided by Saudi authorities. Mohammed Nour Araj, the Director of Hajj and Umrah in Syria, has lauded the Saudi efforts, describing them as 'beyond description' and noting the continuous annual improvement in pilgrim care.

The services and care provided to pilgrims by the Saudi authorities responsible for Hajj are beyond description, noting that the Hajj system continues to see rapid annual development, directly improving the pilgrim experience.

— Mohammed Nour ArajSyrian Hajj Director praises the quality and continuous improvement of services provided by Saudi authorities for the Hajj pilgrimage.

This year, a total of 22,500 Syrian pilgrims are undertaking the sacred journey. Coordination between Syrian and Saudi authorities has reached an advanced stage of operational integration, ensuring that all logistical and organizational arrangements are proceeding smoothly. The Saudi system's flexibility and responsiveness are highlighted, with any emerging challenges addressed promptly, often within 24 hours, under daily follow-up by the relevant Saudi bodies.

The transport plan is meticulously organized, with the first flights scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia imminently. Six flights per day are allocated to ensure smooth movement and adherence to schedules. Accommodation for Syrian pilgrims is secured in 20 residential towers in Makkah and six in Madinah, with mission sites in Mina and Arafat fully prepared. A dedicated Syrian delegation of around 200 members, including medical staff, religious guides, and media personnel, will accompany pilgrims throughout their journey.

Coordination with the relevant Saudi authorities has reached an advanced level of operational integration.

— Mohammed Nour ArajThe Syrian Hajj Director highlights the high level of cooperation and integration between Syrian and Saudi officials for Hajj arrangements.

Significantly, 600 pilgrims are traveling under a special presidential grant, which includes families of those killed and wounded, as well as former detainees and government employees. This initiative reflects a humanitarian consideration, particularly poignant given the ongoing situation in Syria. The selection process for the 65,000 applicants saw a prioritization of the elderly, with 65% of accepted pilgrims belonging to older age groups, underscoring a commitment to facilitating the pilgrimage for those most in need.

The number of Syrian pilgrims this year reached 22,500, distributed across several departure points.

— Mohammed Nour ArajThe Syrian Hajj Director provides the total number of Syrian pilgrims for the current year and their distribution across various departure locations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog