The Kingdom's ambassador to Turkey visits the Makkah Route Initiative hall in Ankara
As part of ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Turkey, Fahd Abu Al-Nasr, conducted an inspection visit today to the terminal dedicated to implementing the Makkah Route Initiative at Esenboğa International Airport in Ankara, the Turkish capital. The visit, which included the presence of the Deputy Head of Religious Affairs in Turkey, Fatih Mehmet Karaca, saw the Ambassador review the workflow and procedures in place to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage for Turkish citizens. During his tour, the Ambassador commended the efforts of the staff and the exceptional services they provide to the pilgrims benefiting from this high-quality service.
The goals of the Makkah Route Initiative and improving services for pilgrims
The Makkah Route Initiative aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from participating countries. The initiative facilitates the reception and processing of pilgrims in their home countries, starting with biometric data collection and electronic issuance of Hajj visas, followed by passport control at the departure airport after verifying compliance with health requirements. Furthermore, luggage is coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, pilgrims are transferred directly to designated buses that transport them to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah via dedicated routes, while partner organizations handle the delivery of their luggage seamlessly.
Historical context and ongoing development of the initiative
These steps are an extension of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors at the forefront of its priorities. It is worth noting that the Saudi Ministry of Interior is currently implementing the initiative in its eighth year, having first launched it in 1438 AH (2017 CE). Since its inception, the initiative has witnessed remarkable development and expansion in the number of countries it covers, and has successfully served more than 1,254,994 pilgrims to date. This massive project is being implemented in close cooperation with several government entities, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, and Media, in addition to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Endowments, the Guests of God Service Program, and the General Directorate of Passports, in integration with the digital partner, stc Group.
Strategic importance and regional and international influence
This initiative is of paramount importance and will have a far-reaching positive impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, it will alleviate pressure on Saudi air gateways and reduce waiting times at airports, thereby enhancing the efficiency of organizational and security crowd management during the Hajj season. Regionally and internationally, it reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bright image and its remarkable ability to utilize modern technology to serve Muslims worldwide. It also strengthens bilateral relations between the Kingdom and beneficiary Islamic countries, such as Turkey, through joint cooperation to facilitate the pilgrims' journey. This advanced level of care reflects the wise leadership's commitment to providing the highest quality services, leaving a positive impression on pilgrims and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as the heart of the Islamic world and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
