JEDDAH: Head of the Kuwaiti hajj mission and Undersecretary of the Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Bader Al-Mutairi confirmed on Saturday that all preparations have been undertaken to serve the pilgrims of the State of Kuwait.

This came in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of Dr Al-Mutairi’s visit to the headquarters of the Kuwaiti hajj mission in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, in the presence of the Deputy Head of the Mission, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf for Media and External Relations Muhammad Al-Mutairi and the heads of the teams and committees participating in the mission.

He said that the efforts exerted by the members of the mission are clear evidence of their dedication to accomplishing the tasks entrusted to them accurately and perfectly. He hoped “for the mission to proceed according to plan and that it will be a great success.”

He hailed the Kuwaiti mission’s track record for success and stressed that sparing no effort in serving pilgrims is a great honor. He pointed to the continuous communication with the Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohammad Al-Wasmi, to follow up the work of the mission and facilitate all procedures and steps necessary for the pilgrims of the State of Kuwait to perform their hajj easily and safely.

Dr Bader Al-Mutairi

He expressed his sincere thanks, praise and gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for their constant support. He also expressed his thanks to the Saudi government, which works to serve the pilgrims and provide them with great facilities starting from their arrival in the Kingdom until the end of the hajj season.

Earlier in Kuwait, the Ministry of Health declared that the whole team of medical services for the Kuwaiti hajj expedition had arrived in holy Makkah. Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad, the health ministry official spokesman said in a statement to KUNA that all of the expedition’s medical equipment had been set up. The ministry clinics are set to open on Sunday with start of the Kuwaiti pilgrims’ arrival, he said, affirming that the ministry will secure all medical needs for the devotees namely the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. The ministry had declared that 41 health prevention centers had been set up to immunize the pilgrims.

Saudi finalizes preparations

Meanwhile, Saudi transport and logistical services have finalized preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage for serving the pilgrims, Minister of Transport and Logistical Services Saleh Al-Jasser said. The minister was speaking at a news conference after he examined the various sectors related to the hajj season. He added that the concerned authorities had already secured the land, air, maritime and railway routes for the waves of incoming devotees, affirming that all necessary facilities have been made available for pilgrims’ easy movement from arrival in the holy land until departure.

Up to six airports have been prepared to receive the coming pilgrims who will be aided and served by 26,000 cadres and 7,700 flights have been scheduled to bring in the pilgrims. The pilgrims can use 35 trains through the Al-Haramain high-speed railway that will transport more than 1.6 million pilgrims, minister Al-Jasser said, in addition to 27,000 buses that will transport the devotees from one ritual place to another. He has also indicated that new technologies are being employed for serving the pilgrims; namely road cooling systems and drones. — KUNA