RIYADH — Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi authorities for the best care and services being extended to Hajj pilgrims from his country. “We express our thanks and appreciation to the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia for the services they provide to ensure the comfort of our pilgrims.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said that every Iranian pilgrim is committed to the etiquette of Hajj and the regulations in force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Enayati wished the pilgrims arriving from Iran a smooth and easy Hajj in the land of the Two Holy Mosques and a safe return home after performing the rituals. “The Iranian Embassy is fully prepared to provide any assistance in this regard as well as to coordinate completely with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
The first group of Iranian pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Saturday, amidst a comprehensive system of services and facilities provided by the Kingdom to all pilgrims arriving from around the world.
Enayati said that the second group of Iranian pilgrims will arrive on Tuesday. “Iranian pilgrims are receiving generous care from Saudi Arabia, just as all other pilgrims do, as Iranian pilgrims had in previous years. The first group of administrative and social staff accompanying the Iranian pilgrims has arrived in the Kingdom, followed by other groups of pilgrims over the coming days,” he said.
Iran will send around 30,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj following coordination with Riyadh, Iranian authorities said. Akbar Rezaei, the deputy for Hajj and Umrah affairs at Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, said the move comes after securing the necessary official approvals.
Rezaei said arrangements for the pilgrimage season were the result of agreements with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, alongside contracts with specialized service providers to ensure a fully managed journey from departure to return.
Source: Saudi Gazette