Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammed Benten revealed that pilgrims from Qatar had arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi leadership had ordered that all facilitations be provided to pilgrims from Qatar.
Qataris can travel to the Kingdom through the King Abdulaziz International Airport and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina. They can also reserve all services they need through an online portal.
Benten had inaugurated on Tuesday the “smart Hajj” platform that includes several electronic services that would create a qualitative leap in services provided to pilgrims.
Among the services is the Hajj smartcard that is given to each pilgrim. The card holds the pilgrim’s personal information and can be read through a dedicated app.
Only 100,000 of these cards will be provided during this year’s holy rituals. The eventual goal in coming years is to hand out cards to all pilgrims, estimated at 2.5 million.
Benten stressed that his ministry is servicing the pilgrims even before they think about performing the Hajj.
They are warmly welcomed upon their arrival and the ministry is honored to serve them, he stated.
