The Saudi Arabian Ministry for Hajj and Umrah has unveiled a roadmap for the 2024 Hajj.

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, unveiled the roadmap at a ceremony attended by the Heads and Representatives of Hajj Missions in the Kingdom on Friday.

The meeting was to mark the end of the 2023 Hajj exercise.

Mr Al Rabiah said preparations for the 2024 Hajj will begin immediately with letters to each participating country.

He added that letters confirming the number of pilgrims slots for the Hajj would also be issued to the countries.

Mr Al Rabiah listed the highlights of the 2014 hajj roadmap, including holding preparatory meetings from September 16 to November 4 and organising an international symposium and exhibition on January 8, 2024.

“Conclusion of accommodation and Masha’er contracts: February 25, 2024; commencement of visa issuance on March, 1st, 2024; closing of visa issuance on April 29, 2024, and the arrival of 1st set of 2024 pilgrims into Saudi Arabia on May 9, 2024.”

Mr Al Rabiah stated that the first Hajj mission to conclude all preparations would have the opportunity to choose its preferred locations at the Masha’er (Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) for the 2024 Hajj.

The minister thanked all agencies and hajj missions for their roles in the 2023 exercise and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to serving the guests of Allah in the best manner possible by obtaining feedback from hajj missions and improving on its services.

The high points of the event were the announcement of winners for the 2023 Labbaikum Hajj Services award, in which Iraq emerged as the overall best hajj mission for the 2023 Hajj.

Other countries like Malaysia, Gambia, Bahrain, Singapore, South Africa and Azerbaijan were recognised for excellence in various aspects of the hajj operations.

(NAN)