Ministry of Hajj holds an event in honor of Hajj missions
In presence of the Minister of Hajj Dr. Fouad bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsy, the Ministry of Hajj held here tonight an event in honor of heads and members of Hajj missions for this year.
The event started with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, minister of Hajj Dr Fou'ad al-Farsy said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz has spared no effort for enabling the pilgrims to perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
He noted that the coming Hajj seasons will witness the completion of the multi-storey Jamrat bridge as well as utilization of railway for the transportation of the pilgrims in a manner that preserves the environment and keeps it away from any form of pollution.
The rulers of this country are keen on attaining further achievements for enhancing the infrastructure projects for confronting the increasing numbers of pilgrims, he said, noting that it is an essential matter to mobilize the available potentialities within the framework of a strategic plan in line with the concept of comprehensive security so as to meet the aspirations of the Hajj higher committee and its sub-committees.
Dr al-Farsy urged the authorities which are concerned with the Hajj missions to continue their efforts for the awareness of the pilgrims prior to their arrival to the Holy Places.
Speaking on behalf of the delegations participating in the Hajj season, Sheikh Hamoud bin Abdullah al-Hattar, the Yemeni minister of endowments and guidance and head of the Yemeni Hajj mission, expressed appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Saudi officials to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.
He highlighted the gigantic projects implemented at the Holy Places, notably Jamrat bridge, to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
The Yemeni minister lauded the existing cooperation and coordination between the Hajj ministry and the Hajj missions.
Meanwhile, Fayeq bin Mohammed Biari, the chairman of the board of directors of the non-governmental establishment of the Hajj guides of the pilgrims of the Arab countries, said it is a great honor to extend services to the pilgrims.
He noted that the projects implemented in Makkah and the Holy Places have positively contributed to enabling the pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals in comfort and ease.
Hajj minister Dr Fou'ad al-Farsy then handed over the prizes for the best press work during the Hajj season to the winners.
Riyadh-based al-Jazeera was awarded the prize for the best coverage during the Hajj season.
Aisha Khan, from al-Iqtisadiyah newspaper, and Ali Ghirsan al-Zahrani, from Okaz newspaper, were awarded the prize for the best press work during the Hajj season.
The prize for the best humanitarian topic during the Hajj season was awarded to Abdullah al-Basrawi, from al-Riyadh newspaper, and Tameem al-Hakeem, from Madina newspaper.
The prize for the best photograph was awarded to Ahmad Hashad, from al-Nadwa newspaper, and Abdullah al-Maulad, from Asharq-al-awsat newspaper.
Speaking on the occasion, Khalid al-Malik, the editor-in-chief of al-Jazeera newspaper praised the idea of the prize and said the Saudi press deserves merit prizes due to their great press works during the Hajj season.