Saudi government praised for a successful pilgrimage

Muslim leaders on Tuesday congratulated the Saudi leadership on the success of this year’s Hajj as the annual pilgrimage comes to a close, citing the excellent services extended to pilgrims by the Saudi government, the private sector and the Saudi people despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic risks. They added that they highly valued the Saudi efforts, which made the annual event a success.

Pilgrims performed the farewell Tawaf on Monday in an initial wrapping up of a successful Hajj season, as many lauded the efforts of the Saudi government in ensuring a safe and efficient pilgrimage.

In 2020 and 2021, Hajj was restricted to Saudi Arabia residents only due to Covid-19, and limited to 60,000 pilgrims, compared with pre-pandemic numbers of 2.5 million. This year, with the lifting of most of Covid-19 restrictions, Saudi Arabia has welcomed nearly one million domestic and foreign pilgrims.

Hajj operations at the holy sites have been overseen by Prince Khaled Al Faisal, the governor of Makkah, and Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. A number of agencies, including security authorities and health workers, have also been involved in providing all the services that pilgrims might had required.

Fahd Al Jalajel, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health, on Monday confirmed that this year's Hajj was free from any outbreaks or public health issues. He said the Saudi Red Crescent had provided flying ambulance services for 17 of 38 Covid-19 cases recorded, which were treated in accordance with health protocols.

The Ministry of Health said 97,262 pilgrims had received treatment in hospitals or health centers in Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina and Jamarat, up to Sunday. The ministry announced that the Seha Virtual Hospital SVH Riyadh had provided excellent services, and more than 1,700 pilgrims had benefited from virtual medical consultation through the Sehaty app.

The app contributed to the diagnosis of four cases of stroke, completed the analysis of six remote X-rays and helped to save the life of a complex case that required remote critical care service. Muslims around the world celebrated Eid Al Adha on Saturday as pilgrims in Saudi Arabia began performing the final rituals of Hajj.