MINA : More than 1.6m pilgrims gather in Mina as Hajj enters Day of Tarwiyah
Security forces have been deployed across the holy sites to regulate pedestrian flow and manage crowd density
MINA: More than 1.6 million pilgrims have gathered in Mina as Hajj enters the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the start of the most intensive phase ahead of Arafat Day on May 26.
The number of foreign pilgrims has reached 1,518,153, a 0.8 percent increase from 2025, according to a report.
Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, pilgrims are spending the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah on Monday in Mina, worshipping and preparing before moving to Arafat, the spiritual climax of Hajj, on Tuesday.
Movement into Mina was carried out under a unified operational system, with authorities reporting smooth flow along key routes, supported by traffic management plans and aerial monitoring to ensure orderly crowd movement.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said its operational plans for the Day of Tarwiyah were part of a broader integrated system designed to ensure smooth movement, efficient crowd management, and high-quality services throughout the pilgrimage.
Officials stressed that coordination across security, health, and service agencies remained central to maintaining safety, comfort, and operational efficiency during Hajj.
Mina: Sacred valley comes alive during Hajj
Located between Makkah and Muzdalifah, Mina lies about 7 km northeast of the Grand Mosque within the Haram boundary. Surrounded by mountains to the north and south, it remains uninhabited for most of the year and comes alive during Hajj.
On the Makkah side, Mina is bordered by the Jamarat area, while on the other side it connects to Wadi Muhassir, a narrow valley leading toward Muzdalifah. The valley is linked in Islamic tradition to the Year of the Elephant, when Abraha’s forces were halted in their advance toward the Kaaba around A.D. 570, widely believed to correspond to the birth year of Prophet Muhammad.
During Hajj, the site hosts an expanded tent city spanning about 2.5 million sq. meters. The infrastructure is designed to enhance safety and security standards, with capacity exceeding 2.6 million pilgrims.
Upgraded accommodation and infrastructure expansion
Among the most notable developments this year is the expansion of upgraded accommodation schemes — including Rabiah Kidana and the Kidana Al-Khayf camp project — which introduce modern residential models aimed at improving comfort and optimizing space within the holy sites.
Kidana Development Co., the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and Ithraa Hospitality Holding Co., has repurposed previously underused areas within the holy sites into fully serviced accommodation zones, significantly boosting capacity for pilgrims and improving on-site living conditions.
Coordinated state response
In line with directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, multiple government and service sectors have been mobilized to ensure the safe and smooth performance of Hajj rituals, focusing on security, health, logistics, and transport readiness.
The Council of Ministers recently reviewed this year’s Hajj operational plans and progress under the Pilgrim Experience Program, which strengthens integration among state agencies and enhances service delivery across Makkah, the holy sites, and Madinah.
The Hajj ecosystem continues to evolve through expanded coordination and the deployment of human, technical, and organizational resources to support operational readiness and pilgrim welfare.
Egyptian pilgrim Hamza Sa’oudi, who is performing Hajj for the second time, told Arab News that services have continued to improve.
Sa’oudi said: “When I first came here 10 years ago, I was impressed by the advanced services provided to pilgrims. Since then, everything has improved further, with this generous country mobilizing comprehensive security, medical, logistical, and transportation services to facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals in an atmosphere of safety and spirituality.” Arab News
