42,000 Iraqi Pilgrims Arrive in Makkah

Sami al-Masoudi, head of Iraq’s High Commission for Hajj and Umrah, said 42,000 Iraqi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, praising the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure pilgrims’ comfort through a wide range of services and facilities aimed at helping worshippers perform their rituals with ease. Al-Masoudi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the arrival of Iraqi pilgrims came amid early and well-organized preparations following directives from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which called for readiness across all sectors, including accommodation, catering, services at the holy sites, and internal and external transportation, to guarantee pilgrims’ comfort and the smooth performance of rituals. One of the most notable features of this year’s Hajj season for Iraqi pilgrims is the adoption of sacrificial offerings services through the electronic platform after they became managed under the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi, a step al-Masoudi described as “qualitative.” “It reflects the level of development and organization within the Hajj system,” he said. “Today, all contracts, including sacrificial offerings, are completed electronically, which has helped simplify procedures, reduce bureaucracy and improve the level of services provided to pilgrims,” he added. The Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi is one of the initiatives of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. The project aims to facilitate the performance of Hady and expiation rituals for pilgrims and enable Muslims worldwide to carry out sacrifices, charity donations and aqiqah on their behalf, while distributing the meat to eligible beneficiaries inside and outside the Kingdom. Al-Masoudi also highlighted the major transformation and development projects supported by artificial intelligence technologies that Saudi Arabia has deployed to serve pilgrims. “Year after year, we witness continuous progress and major efforts by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and supporting agencies in the Kingdom, especially in automation and digital transformation, which directly improve pilgrims’ comfort and the quality of services provided to them,” he said. Saudi Arabia has consistently worked to improve services for pilgrims arriving from around the world through projects that are upgraded and expanded annually, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to serving pilgrims and Umrah performers, enhancing service quality and enriching their religious experience in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The first groups of Iraqi pilgrims began arriving in the Kingdom through the al-Haditha border crossing in al-Qurayyat and the Jadidat Arar crossing, where entry procedures were completed smoothly within minutes under an integrated service system designed to ease the burden of long-distance travel and provide a more comfortable and reassuring experience for pilgrims traveling by land to Makkah. Expressions of gratitude were evident among Iraqi pilgrims, many of whom described the reception as “beyond expectations,” saying the welcome they received upon entering the Kingdom gave them a sense of comfort and reassurance even before reaching the holy sites.