40, 000 security personnel have been stationed in the Saudi Authorities, who have continued to intensify preparations across all sectors to ensure a hitch-free 2025 Hajj exercise.
Teams have been trained and deployed to combat any potential threats, with the introduction of a drone to support firefighting and rescue efforts for the first time, from security and safety to health and safety to health and rapid response.
40 000 people have also been stationed in the middle of a multilayered security strategy to manage traffic, manage the crowd, and provide quick response and surveillance.
Authorities report that 415 fake Hajj offices were detained, 415 illegal pilgrims were expelled, and 109, 632 vehicles were returned in violation of Hajj regulations.
This Grand Hajj Symposium was held in Jeddah in collaboration with the Council of Senior Scholars and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah).
In order to uphold the objectives of Islamic law, the ministry is attempting to highlight the concept of capacity in the symposium.
The 49th edition of the 2025 Grand Hajj symposium attracted ministers, senior scholars, heads of Hajj offices and missions, including Nigeria, as well as experts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad.
It examined one of the most important concepts in contemporary Hajj jurisprudence, encouraging knowledge exchange to support pilgrims, and not just showcased diverse scholarly and intellectual experiences.
ALSO READ: Al-Hajj, One Of Islam’s Five Pillars.
As it prepares for a smooth Hajj exercise, the Interior Ministry also held a press conference for the Saudi Security Forces commanders in Makkah.
The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense announced that for the first time this year’s Hajj will be conducted using a drone for firefighting and response, providing details on preparations and technological advancements made to ensure a smooth exercise.
The drone, which has the name “Falcon” and has been enhanced with artificial intelligence, can take off in 12 hours and weigh 40 kilograms. It is ready to be used in difficult-to-access areas.
More personnel are needed to coordinate with security agencies and monitor the security situation in emergency security situations, according to the National Center for Security Operations, 911.
AbdulAzeez Al Ghamdi, the spokesperson for the Saudi National Center for Security Operations, reported that this year, the use of sophisticated infrastructure has also shortened response times.
According to him, “The unified security system in the Makkah region, 911, has prepared a special plan for the hajj season starting with an analysis of the calls from previous Al-Hajj seasons and anticipates the calls for this year depending on the numbers, we increased our forces and call takers so we can respond to all the calls.” The CCTV camera, which records all holy sites, has also been expanded.
We respond to all calls in less than two seconds thanks to the most cutting-edge technology. Three main details appear on the system when a call is made: the caller’s name, the number, and the location. In less than 45 seconds, we send a report to the specialized entity if necessary.
The authorities have mobilized staff at Mina’s health emergency operations center in addition to focusing on security and safety.
The Medical Referral Center Nawfal Aljerian’s Chief Operations Officer stated that all measures had been in place to deal with health emergencies.
He instructed pilgrims to engage in medical procedures to control the heat, revealing that this year’s delivery time has decreased from one hour and twenty minutes to six minutes.
He said, “This is a system of care where health authorities are able to provide proper services, help decision-makers get live information, and help decision-makers get the appropriate questions and answers at the same time.”
All Hajjis (pilgrims) make their best efforts to rest when they can, stay away from direct sunlight, use umbrellas, and drink a lot of water, both as a doctor and as an emergency physician at this time.
He continued, “We are using drones this year to deliver medications to some areas, and that has reduced the time from an hour and twenty minutes to six minutes this year.”
