Pilgrims Begin Hajj Journey with Ascent to Mina for Day of Tarwiyah
Mina, The Gulf Observer: Pilgrims began arriving in Mina early Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, marking the commencement of the annual Hajj pilgrimage with the observance of the Day of Tarwiyah. Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), pilgrims recited the talbiyah and glorified God as they made their way to the Tent City.
Hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims joined more than 1.47 million international pilgrims who have traveled from around the world to perform Hajj this year. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qarni, Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the General Transportation Center of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, confirmed the successful completion of the international pilgrim arrival phase, which spanned 36 days and involved travel between Makkah and Madinah without incident.
“Domestic pilgrims began arriving on Monday night and Tuesday, performing Tawaf Al-Qudum before heading to Mina in preparation for the rites of Hajj,” said Dr. Al-Qarni. He noted that the movement of pilgrims began at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and is scheduled to continue until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Transportation to Arafat, scheduled for Dhul Hijjah 9 (Day of Arafat), will be facilitated through multiple channels. The Mashair train will transport approximately 316,000 pilgrims, while multi-modal and traditional transport systems will carry an estimated 720,000 pilgrims.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has finalized its preparations at Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina to welcome worshippers. Over 27,000 square meters of prayer space have been equipped with prayer rugs, supported by an integrated operational and technical system. The mosque has undergone major upgrades this year, including advanced air-conditioning systems linked to smart controls and sensors that monitor carbon dioxide levels, automatically activating fans and cooling devices to maintain optimal conditions.
Amid forecasts of high summer temperatures, Saudi authorities have significantly expanded safety and health measures. Dr. Abdullah Asir, Deputy Minister of Health, stated that the ministry has deployed over 50,000 healthcare professionals and administrative personnel — a substantial increase over previous years.
More than 700 hospital beds have been equipped to handle cases of heat-related illness, with capacity expanded by over 60 percent compared to last year. The Ministry of Health has also launched three field hospitals and activated 71 emergency points across Hajj sites.
Eng. Khaled Al-Tala’a, the Ministry’s spokesperson, reported that the overall health condition of the pilgrims remains stable. He noted that more than 98,000 health services have been provided so far, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring a safe, healthy, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for all.
