Saudi King Salman Orders Hosting Of 1,000 Palestinian Pilgrims From Affected Families For Hajj

RIYADH, May 20 (Bernama-SPA) -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued directives to host 1,000 pilgrims from the families of martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded Palestinian people to perform hajj this year, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The report stated that King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is sponsoring them at his own expense to perform Hajj this year, 1446 AH, as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

On this occasion, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and General Supervisor of the programme Sheikh Dr Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for this generous gesture.

He said it reflects the Kingdom’s continued care and its wise leadership’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and strengthening the bonds of Islamic brotherhood.

Al Alsheikh emphasised that this initiative is an extension of the leadership’s efforts to facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals for Palestinians.

He noted that the ministry has immediately begun implementing a comprehensive plan to provide all necessary services and facilities to the Palestinian pilgrims, from the moment they depart their homeland until their return, within a fully integrated system during their stay in Makkah and Madinah.

He stated that since its inception in 1417 AH, the programme has hosted more than 64,000 pilgrims from various countries, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to serve Islam and Muslims and reinforce its status as the heart of the Islamic world and the Qibla of Muslims.

-- BERNAMA-SPA