Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will within the next two weeks assess the experience gained in organizing this year’s extraordinary Hajj. The Ministry aims to benefit from the lessons it learned during the immensely successful Hajj 2020.

The Saudi Gazette reports that Dr. Hussein Al-Sharif, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs, said that preparations related to the upcoming Umrah season are soon to begin. Al-Sharif said the Ministry would start appraising lessons learned from the “unprecedented Hajj, which witnessed high-quality health and organizational procedures amid coronavirus pandemic situation”. The Deputy Minister praised the services, and arrangements that enabled the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

The Hajjis were accommodated at their hotel in Makkah following the completion of their pilgrimage on Sunday. The Saudi Gazette reports that air and road transport is to be provided to them by the Saudi authorities to return home, in compliance with coronavirus travel protocols. Once home, the Hajj pilgrims will spend a week in home quarantine, to be monitored in accordance with the Ministry’s health protocols.

Umm Muhammed Umar