Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than 5.5 lakh pilgrims as part of the 2025 Hajj season, marking a significant start to the Islamic pilgrimage for the year 1446 AH. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, a total of 554,579 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom by May 18, through various entry routes including air, land, and sea, reported the Arabic Times.
Official figures show that 538,766 pilgrims entered by land, 14,391 by air, and 1,422 by sea, representing 39% of the total Hajj visas issued this year. The arrival of pilgrims began on Dhul Qadah 1 (April 29), formally initiating Hajj activities in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi authorities highlighted the ongoing success of the Makkah Route Initiative, a key component of Vision 2030. Launched in 2017, the initiative aims to streamline immigration and pre-travel procedures for pilgrims and has already served over one million people. It is operational at 11 airports in seven countries — Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey, and Côte d’Ivoire — under the broader Pilgrim Experience Program to improve service quality.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, through various platforms, extended a warm welcome to all visitors, stating: “Welcome, O Guests of Allah — your arrival is an honour and a joy for us.” Authorities emphasized the need for all pilgrims to obtain official Hajj permits, which are critical for access to services, ensuring safety, and enhancing the overall spiritual journey.
The Kingdom reaffirmed its dedication to providing top-class services, infrastructure, and hospitality to ensure pilgrims can perform their religious duties with ease and devotion.
