Saudi Arabia targets 2 mln Hajj pilgrims this year, 90% from abroad: Official

Amr Almaddah, Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Services

Saudi Arabia aims to host nearly two million pilgrims during Hajj this year, with 90% foreigners, Al-Madina newspaper reported, citing Amr Almaddah, Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Services.

As the country allows the number of Hajj pilgrims to return to pre-pandemic level, it targets 1.8 million foreign and 200,000 domestic pilgrims, including Saudis and residents, the Deputy Minister said.

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites finalizes the infrastructure works, Almaddah said, adding that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah hopes to raise the number of pilgrims to approximately 4.5 million.

Almaddah indicated that the step aims to enable the largest number of Muslims to visit the holy sites, highlighting the growing global demand, as there are nearly 1.6 billion Muslims around the world seeking to participate in the Hajj. He also noted that it is challenging for the Kingdom to fulfil these levels of demand.

“Upon the finalization of the infrastructure works, we may increase the number of domestic pilgrims, but not at the same level of the foreign worshippers,” he added.

Earlier, Saudi Minister of Hajj Tawfig Al Rabiah said the number of pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj will return to pre-pandemic levels, Argaam reported.