The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that more than one million pilgrims have benefited from the Makkah Route Initiative since its inception. This development underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to serving those embarking on the spiritual journey.

Now in its seventh year, this initiative collaborates with various government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and Ministry of Media, as well as the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports.

Part of the Pilgrim Experience Program aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, the initiative simplifies pre-travel processes for pilgrims at 11 airports spread across seven countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Türkiye, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Services initiate in the pilgrims’ home countries, where biometric data is collected, electronic Hajj visas are issued, and passport processing is conducted to ensure adherence to health protocols. Luggage is tagged and organized based on transportation and accommodation arrangements, allowing pilgrims to be transported directly upon arrival to their designated residences in Makkah and Madinah.

With the program being led by multilingual national teams and bolstered by advanced technology, it guarantees a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for all participants.