Saudi Arabia Hosts Major Hajj Coordination Meeting with Over 100 Muslim-Country Officials
Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah convenes pilgrims-services chiefs ahead of Hajj 2026 to tighten contracts and digital platforms
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, convened more than one hundred ministers, grand muftis and directors of Hajj offices from across the Muslim world on Monday in Riyadh, in a semi-annual session to review preparations for the Hajj 2026 season.
The meeting took place alongside the fifth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition and aimed to finalise key service contracts, streamline visa issuance and safeguard pilgrims against unauthorised practices.
Al-Rabiah thanked participating offices for their efforts in the Hajj 2025 season and urged those yet to complete arrangements to do so promptly.
He set deadlines for essential contracting: camp-service agreements to be finalised by January 4 2026 and accommodation contracts in Mecca and Medina by February 1. He also directed that Hajj visas be submitted by March 20 with no extensions permitted and that awareness campaigns be launched jointly to protect pilgrims from exploitation or misinformation.
In a push toward digital governance, Al-Rabiah stipulated that issuing of a health-capability certificate must accompany a delegation’s visa request, submitted via the Nusuk electronic platform, while all sacrificial-animal payments will henceforth flow exclusively through authorised Hajj offices and the Saudi Project for the Utilisation of Hady and Adahi.
Administrative, medical and media-staff data must be uploaded between November 10 and December 21. Airlines and flight slot selections must likewise be completed by January 4 and all transactions executed via the Nusuk Masar platform.
The minister described these procedures as part of a broader effort to enhance service efficiency, coordination and leadership in serving pilgrims worldwide.
The gathering showcased Saudi Arabia’s continuing commitment to upholding its role in facilitating the annual pilgrimage and improving the experience for millions of participants.
With the countdown to Hajj 2026 under way, the Kingdom signals readiness to deliver operational excellence through tighter regulation, digital integration and international collaboration.
The meeting took place alongside the fifth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition and aimed to finalise key service contracts, streamline visa issuance and safeguard pilgrims against unauthorised practices.
Al-Rabiah thanked participating offices for their efforts in the Hajj 2025 season and urged those yet to complete arrangements to do so promptly.
He set deadlines for essential contracting: camp-service agreements to be finalised by January 4 2026 and accommodation contracts in Mecca and Medina by February 1. He also directed that Hajj visas be submitted by March 20 with no extensions permitted and that awareness campaigns be launched jointly to protect pilgrims from exploitation or misinformation.
In a push toward digital governance, Al-Rabiah stipulated that issuing of a health-capability certificate must accompany a delegation’s visa request, submitted via the Nusuk electronic platform, while all sacrificial-animal payments will henceforth flow exclusively through authorised Hajj offices and the Saudi Project for the Utilisation of Hady and Adahi.
Administrative, medical and media-staff data must be uploaded between November 10 and December 21. Airlines and flight slot selections must likewise be completed by January 4 and all transactions executed via the Nusuk Masar platform.
The minister described these procedures as part of a broader effort to enhance service efficiency, coordination and leadership in serving pilgrims worldwide.
The gathering showcased Saudi Arabia’s continuing commitment to upholding its role in facilitating the annual pilgrimage and improving the experience for millions of participants.
With the countdown to Hajj 2026 under way, the Kingdom signals readiness to deliver operational excellence through tighter regulation, digital integration and international collaboration.
