Saudi Arabia Plans ‘Rest Zones’ for Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi authorities have announced plans to set up rest zones for Hajj pilgrims at several locations in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The announcement was made during a briefing to Prince Saud bin Mishaal, the Deputy Governor of Makkah, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.

Officials shared that shaded walkways covering 50,000 square metres are being built for pedestrians in Mina. In addition, around Jabal al-Rahmah in Arafat, 60,000 square metres of shelters with misting fans are being installed. These steps are being taken as high temperatures and large crowds continue to raise concerns about the safety and comfort of pilgrims.

This development is part of the broader plan by Saudi authorities to improve the Hajj experience. Authorities want to ensure that pilgrims can perform their religious duties with ease and in better conditions. The focus is to provide relief from heat and crowd pressure during the pilgrimage.

Read more: Over 60 Pakistani Pilgrims Stranded at Saudi Airport for 2 Days

Increased Hajj Quota

In another major development, Saudi Arabia has increased Pakistan’s Hajj quota by 10,000 pilgrims. Officials made this announcement last week. The decision came after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and requested more Hajj slots for Pakistan.

Pakistani officials say the increase in the quota shows Saudi Arabia’s strong support for Pakistan and reflects the good relations between the two countries. Thousands of Pakistanis are still on the waiting list for Hajj this year, and authorities believe that the extra 10,000 slots will help ease pressure on applicants and allow more people to perform Hajj.

Officials added that the move is timely and will be helpful for those who had applied but were unsure about getting a slot. The new arrangements, including resting areas and additional quota, are expected to make this year’s Hajj more manageable and safer for all pilgrims.