Mecca Gears Up for Increased Hajj Pilgrim Accommodations in Upcoming Season
The city of Mecca is making preparations to accommodate an even larger number of Muslim pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage season. Authorities in Mecca have issued licenses for 3,800 buildings with varying sizes and room capacities to house pilgrims during the next Hajj. This number is expected to surpass 5,000 buildings by the time the next season arrives. Officials are urging building owners to register their properties promptly to prevent overcrowding.
In the previous year, nearly 2 million pilgrims from around the world participated in the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, signaling a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance.
Saudi Arabia has also introduced new rules for the upcoming Hajj season, emphasizing early preparations. One significant change is that specific locations will not be designated for individual countries at the holy sites. Instead, allocations will be based on finalized contracts. This shift aims to encourage early preparations and ensure the delivery of high-quality services to pilgrims.
The process for issuing Hajj visas is set to begin on March 1 and conclude on the 20th of Shawwal (April 29). Pilgrims are expected to start arriving in Saudi Arabia on the first day of Dhul Qaidah (May 9). These new measures are designed to facilitate the preparations for the obligatory Islamic duty of Hajj.
In the previous year, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in Hajj in and around Mecca, according to official Saudi figures.
