The 2025 Hajj season has officially begun in the holy city of Makkah, the spiritual center for Muslims worldwide. Each year, the pilgrimage starts on the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and continues through the 13th. Accordingly, this year’s official Hajj rituals commenced today, Wednesday (June 4), in Saudi Arabia.

In preparation for the Hajj, Saudi authorities have placed special emphasis on security, healthcare, transportation, and overall logistics. According to official reports, pilgrims from 71 countries have already arrived in the Kingdom on 3,314 flights.

The 'Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah' Metro service—also known as the Sacred Sites Train Line—has been reactivated to transport pilgrims between key religious sites. This high-capacity train is scheduled to make 4,900 trips over the seven days of Hajj, facilitating safe and comfortable travel for nearly 2 million pilgrims.

Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being deployed to scan over 7,400 kilometers of roadways for maintenance and inspection of vehicles. Around 25,000 buses have been prepared for transporting pilgrims, all under continuous technical supervision.

Saleh Al-Juwaid, spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Services Department, stated that trips on the Haramain High-Speed Railway have increased by 75% compared to last year.

To enhance communication during the pilgrimage, 4G and 5G network coverage across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites has been extended to 99%. More than 10,500 Wi-Fi access points have been installed to ensure high-speed internet connectivity.

Altogether, this year’s Hajj is marked by exceptional preparations and modern technologies, setting a new standard in the management of this sacred journey.

Source: Arab News