1,000 Egyptian pilgrims arrive in Mecca, Monday

CAIRO – 19 May 2025: Nearly 1,000 pilgrims from the official lottery Hajj mission arrived in Mecca on Monday according to Major General Ashraf Abdel-Moetti, assistant minister of interior for administrative affairs and CEO of the Egyptian Hajj Mission.

He added that the Mission’s air bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be transporting pilgrims to the holy lands throughout the coming days.

He added that officials from the lottery Hajj mission received the pilgrims upon their arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to oversee arrival procedures and their transfer to Mecca, in preparation for accommodating them in hotels located in the central area around the Grand Mosque.

He pointed out that officials from the lottery Hajj mission review the accommodation arrangements at the pilgrims’ hotels daily before their arrival to ensure readiness and that all amenities are provided to the pilgrims. The officials also work to swiftly complete accommodation procedures as soon as pilgrims arrive.

He emphasized that readiness levels have been raised among the officers of the lottery Hajj mission at both Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madina and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to expedite the pilgrims’ arrival procedures. This comes in implementation of directives from Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfik to provide all forms of care for the pilgrims, enabling them to perform the rituals with ease and comfort.

He added that all members of the lottery Hajj mission are working around the clock to provide all possible facilities for the pilgrims, from the moment they depart for the Holy Lands until they return safely to their homeland.

The Assistant Minister also stated that pilgrims have been advised to cooperate with mission officials and adhere to the announced regulations in place in the Holy Lands, which serve the interests of the pilgrims and ensure their safety and comfort during the rituals.

For their part, the pilgrims expressed their happiness at the services provided by the lottery mission, including reception, organization, and accommodation in hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque. They praised the distinguished services offered by the mission’s management, such as medical services and the organization of group visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah.