Saudi Arabia has outlined five key priorities for the 2027 Hajj season, including early visa processing, pilgrims’ health and safety, accurate data management and the mandatory use of identification cards.
The priorities were announced by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, during a meeting with heads of Hajj affairs offices from 76 countries in Jeddah on Monday.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which is bringing together government officials, pilgrimage organisers, service providers and technology companies to strengthen preparations for the 1448AH Hajj season.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Rabiah urged Hajj affairs offices to begin preparations early and adhere strictly to established timelines.
He called on the offices to conclude service contracts and visa issuance well before the deadline of Shawwal 1, secure early agreements with airlines and ensure that all contracts are documented through designated electronic platforms.
The minister also emphasised the importance of pilgrims’ health and safety, describing them as non-negotiable priorities.
He urged Hajj organisers to ensure that pilgrims undergo thorough medical examinations before departure, receive all required vaccinations and comply with approved health regulations.
Al-Rabiah further stressed the need for accurate and complete pilgrims’ data, saying the information is essential for planning travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation and crowd management during the pilgrimage.
He also directed that all pilgrims must carry their Nusuk cards and present them whenever required.
The cards are used to verify pilgrims’ identities, facilitate access to services and regulate entry into locations where identification is required under Saudi regulations.
The meeting forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage, with the Kingdom continuing to expand international coordination and improve services for pilgrims.
The preparations are taking place alongside the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which began on November 8 and will run until November 11 at the Jeddah Superdome.
Held under the theme “From Makkah to the World”, the conference is organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The conference was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, who represented the King at the opening ceremony.
In his address, Prince Saud reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to improving Hajj services, adopting modern technologies and strengthening coordination among government agencies to facilitate pilgrims’ journeys from departure to their safe return.
The event has attracted more than 520 government, private-sector and non-profit entities from over 150 countries, with an exhibition covering more than 67,000 square metres and featuring over 15 specialised zones and programmes.
Speaking at the conference, Al-Rabiah highlighted changes in the Hajj and Umrah sector, including increased competition among service providers, expanded international contracting and the use of digital platforms to improve pilgrims’ experiences.
He disclosed that the number of companies approved to provide services to pilgrims from abroad had increased to 34, while direct contracting had expanded to 58 countries.
The Direct Hajj Programme has also extended access to pilgrims from 75 additional countries.
Al-Rabiah said preparations for the 1448AH season had already involved coordination with Hajj affairs offices in 78 countries, alongside continued development of the holy sites and transport infrastructure.
He also reported that the Nusuk platform had exceeded 70 million users, while pilgrim satisfaction reached 93 per cent during the 1447AH Hajj season.
Technology and innovation are also central to the conference, with exhibition areas showcasing solutions in artificial intelligence, healthcare, aviation, logistics, crowd management and digital services.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior presented artificial intelligence-powered security systems and digital crowd-management technologies designed to improve safety and the management of pilgrims at the holy sites.
The conference also introduced an Awareness and Training Forum under the theme “From Awareness to Empowerment”, aimed at strengthening awareness programmes, improving training and building the capacity of personnel serving pilgrims.
Its Hajj Council featured 32 sessions involving 42 speakers, with discussions covering transportation, accommodation, catering, healthcare, technology, sustainability and crowd management.
The opening ceremony also witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation and improving services for pilgrims.
The event featured the launch of the Awareness and Training Forum and the Unified Staff Portal, while Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Muhammad Irfan Yusuf, delivered an address on behalf of international Hajj affairs offices.
The priorities were announced by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, during a meeting with heads of Hajj affairs offices from 76 countries in Jeddah on Monday.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which is bringing together government officials, pilgrimage organisers, service providers and technology companies to strengthen preparations for the 1448AH Hajj season.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Rabiah urged Hajj affairs offices to begin preparations early and adhere strictly to established timelines.
He called on the offices to conclude service contracts and visa issuance well before the deadline of Shawwal 1, secure early agreements with airlines and ensure that all contracts are documented through designated electronic platforms.
The minister also emphasised the importance of pilgrims’ health and safety, describing them as non-negotiable priorities.
He urged Hajj organisers to ensure that pilgrims undergo thorough medical examinations before departure, receive all required vaccinations and comply with approved health regulations.
Al-Rabiah further stressed the need for accurate and complete pilgrims’ data, saying the information is essential for planning travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation and crowd management during the pilgrimage.
He also directed that all pilgrims must carry their Nusuk cards and present them whenever required.
The cards are used to verify pilgrims’ identities, facilitate access to services and regulate entry into locations where identification is required under Saudi regulations.
The meeting forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage, with the Kingdom continuing to expand international coordination and improve services for pilgrims.
The preparations are taking place alongside the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which began on November 8 and will run until November 11 at the Jeddah Superdome.
Held under the theme “From Makkah to the World”, the conference is organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The conference was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, who represented the King at the opening ceremony.
In his address, Prince Saud reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to improving Hajj services, adopting modern technologies and strengthening coordination among government agencies to facilitate pilgrims’ journeys from departure to their safe return.
The event has attracted more than 520 government, private-sector and non-profit entities from over 150 countries, with an exhibition covering more than 67,000 square metres and featuring over 15 specialised zones and programmes.
Speaking at the conference, Al-Rabiah highlighted changes in the Hajj and Umrah sector, including increased competition among service providers, expanded international contracting and the use of digital platforms to improve pilgrims’ experiences.
He disclosed that the number of companies approved to provide services to pilgrims from abroad had increased to 34, while direct contracting had expanded to 58 countries.
The Direct Hajj Programme has also extended access to pilgrims from 75 additional countries.
Al-Rabiah said preparations for the 1448AH season had already involved coordination with Hajj affairs offices in 78 countries, alongside continued development of the holy sites and transport infrastructure.
He also reported that the Nusuk platform had exceeded 70 million users, while pilgrim satisfaction reached 93 per cent during the 1447AH Hajj season.
Technology and innovation are also central to the conference, with exhibition areas showcasing solutions in artificial intelligence, healthcare, aviation, logistics, crowd management and digital services.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior presented artificial intelligence-powered security systems and digital crowd-management technologies designed to improve safety and the management of pilgrims at the holy sites.
The conference also introduced an Awareness and Training Forum under the theme “From Awareness to Empowerment”, aimed at strengthening awareness programmes, improving training and building the capacity of personnel serving pilgrims.
Its Hajj Council featured 32 sessions involving 42 speakers, with discussions covering transportation, accommodation, catering, healthcare, technology, sustainability and crowd management.
The opening ceremony also witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation and improving services for pilgrims.
The event featured the launch of the Awareness and Training Forum and the Unified Staff Portal, while Indonesia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Muhammad Irfan Yusuf, delivered an address on behalf of international Hajj affairs offices.