22,000 Ministry Employees Prepare for Hajj to Welcome Pilgrims
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing of Saudi Arabia has launched a large-scale operation to prepare the holy cities for the Hajj season, involving more than 22,000 specialists to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
Four Pillars of Municipal Preparation
Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail presented a comprehensive strategy built on four main directions. The first focuses on the safety of pilgrim movement through an advanced network of roads, bridges, tunnels, and drainage systems that ensure smooth flow of people and crowd management at holy sites. The second direction covers round-the-clock sanitation and environmental safety using over 88,000 units of cleaning equipment and 3,000 vehicles. The third pillar includes specialized inspections of food, water, buildings, and structures, as well as addressing violations through alternative solutions. The fourth direction is rapid response to issues through an integrated digital system with 66 service centers.
Integration and Coordination Between Cities
The ministry is working in partnership with the administrations of Makkah and Madinah, coordinating municipal capabilities to create a unified space of safety and comfort. The infrastructure includes upgraded roads, lighting, parks, and emergency management systems. In Madinah, a dedicated operational system has been deployed with thousands of employees, specialized navigation networks, and transportation to facilitate pilgrim movement. Such coordination allows the state to respond to needs in real-time and prevent critical situations before they arise.
Innovative Safety and Response Systems
A key component of the preparation is the deployed emergency response system using advanced technologies and equipment. The ministry has created two specialized emergency shelter centers and integrated digital platforms for field report management. More than 22,000 field personnel are distributed across the territories for prompt assistance. The system allows for reduced response time and increased efficiency in serving pilgrims, ensuring their safety and well-being during one of the most significant spiritual journeys in Islam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many personnel are involved in serving pilgrims?
The ministry has deployed more than 22,000 employees, distributed across 66 service centers in Makkah and Madinah for prompt response to the needs of pilgrims and managing various aspects of their stay.
What systems are used for sanitation and hygiene management?
An operational system with 88,000 units of cleaning equipment and 3,000 vehicles is used to ensure round-the-clock cleaning and maintenance of sanitary and hygiene standards across all areas of the holy cities.
How is safety ensured during large flows of pilgrims?
The ministry has developed a network of modern roads, bridges, tunnels, and drainage systems supported by digital flow management systems. Special inspection teams and laboratories conduct daily monitoring of water, food quality, and building conditions to prevent critical situations.
