The Saudi Minister of Hajj, Dr. Fuad Abdulsalam Al-Farsy, announced that 1.7 million pilgrims would visit Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj.

He declared the announcement whilst inspecting the ministry’s offices in Medina and embarking an electronic housing contract for pilgrims.
The minister added that his announcement to disclose such information has came after  the yearly report has been submitted to the second Deputy Prime Minister and which is included the expected number he gave out.

Dr. Fuad Abdulsalam Al-Farsy declared that 70,000 Umrah visas have been issued this year compared to last year.
In relation with the planning and arrangements being done for this year’s Hajj, the minister said: “We met with chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the National Establishments for Guides in Medina to make clear the operational plan for this year’s Hajj.

As we have been accustomed to it, we have seen their readiness and preparedness to welcome and serve the Guests of Allah keeping those measures up to the leadership’s aspirations.”

He announced that there will be no more problems of time and that the National Establishment for Guides relies on computers on all its operations which will undermine paperwork, the staff needed to handle out the task.

Moreover, he announced that he “can’t claim that the e-contract will remove all the shortcomings in the sector and mistakes won’t cease exist for there still a human factor in the process “

He added saying that the system was partially computerized last year.
In relation to his efforts and take control over abuses committed by some Umrah service providers, he said, “I abominate to keep repeating myself but in spite of that  I could say that these companies are successfully managing issues well because of Prince Naif’s  great support to the Ministry of Hajj in procedures controlling the activity of these companies.”