Saudi Arabia has announced that a total of 1,255,199 pilgrims have arrived from abroad through all entry ports as of Wednesday, ahead of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports, 1,186,810 pilgrims entered via airports, 63,301 through land borders, and 5,088 arrived by sea.

The directorate reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring smooth and efficient entry procedures, highlighting that its platforms have been equipped with the latest technology and are operated by qualified personnel fluent in multiple languages to assist pilgrims effectively.

Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities are finalizing preparations at the holy sites to ensure pilgrims can perform their religious rites with ease and comfort.

In a related development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inspected facilities prepared for Nigerian pilgrims at Mina and Arafat to guarantee a smooth and hitch-free experience at these key locations.

The Deputy Coordinator of NAHCON’s Makkah Office, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who led the inspection team, assured that the arrangements in both locations are satisfactory and capable of supporting a successful Hajj operation.

Mina and Arafat are crucial sites in the Hajj pilgrimage, where millions of worshippers from around the globe gather over five to six days to perform essential Islamic rites.

Shutti expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness, noting that the upgrades met expectations. He commended the service providers for the improvements, stating that the quality of work justifies the commission’s confidence in them.