Hajj season preparations: No food poisoning and 22,000 field personnel
The Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, announced the complete readiness of the municipal system to ensure the success of Hajj season in the holy sites. He revealed that more than 22,000 field personnel have been deployed, in addition to managing a massive infrastructure network spanning over 4.6 million square meters, all with the aim of providing the best possible services to the pilgrims and facilitating their performance of the rituals with complete peace of mind and ease.
A rich history of serving the guests of God
For decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors at the forefront of its highest priorities. Since the unification of the country, Mecca, Medina, and the Holy Sites have witnessed continuous development projects that have never ceased. This historical context reflects the Saudi leadership's unwavering commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for pilgrims. This year's preparations are a natural extension of this great legacy, with Minister Al-Hogail affirming that serving the pilgrims is a great honor bestowed upon the Kingdom, its leadership, and its people, praising the unlimited support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Strategic dimensions of a successful Hajj season
The importance of organizing the Hajj season extends beyond the religious aspect, encompassing far-reaching positive impacts at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, this annual event enhances the efficiency of the infrastructure and creates job and development opportunities for Saudi nationals. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in managing the world's largest human gathering serves as a leading model in crowd and crisis management, further strengthening Saudi Arabia's Islamic and global standing. The Ministry works in full coordination with the "Guests of God" program, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030, to ensure a safe and seamless spiritual journey that reflects the Kingdom's civilized image.
Toxic-free health and environmental insurance plan
In a significant achievement for the health and regulatory system, Al-Haqil explained that joint efforts with the Food and Drug Authority resulted in no confirmed cases of food poisoning being recorded last year. To maintain this success, the Ministry continues to utilize its municipal assets, including roads, tunnels, and parks, to create a healthy environment in cooperation with the municipalities of Mecca and Medina. On the operational level, the Ministry manages an advanced network comprising 20 bridges, 18 tunnels, and stormwater drainage systems to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Tight field monitoring and standard response
The second pillar of the plan focuses on providing a clean environment through the operation of over 88,000 cleaning units, supported by approximately 3,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment, 1,235 compactors, and 113 underground storage facilities. For proactive prevention, 66 service centers have been established, including 28 within the Holy Sites, supported by five advanced laboratories. Field teams conduct 2,800 daily inspection tours and collect 1,300 laboratory samples to mitigate negative practices such as unregulated slaughter and street vending.
Regarding response speed, the digital system manages more than 29,000 reports. In numerical terms, one field team is assigned to every 76 pilgrims, achieving a record average response time of 1 minute and 13 seconds per report. Al-Haqil concluded his statement by emphasizing the qualitative shift in municipal work towards proactive field intervention and the complete readiness to handle emergencies through accommodation centers to ensure the highest levels of safety and comfort for the pilgrims.
