BusinessWire India
Madinah [Saudi Arabia], April 1: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Prince of the Madinah Province, emphasized that the honour of serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors has never been a fleeting responsibility. Rather, it is a deeply rooted approach upon which this country was founded since its unification by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud--may Allah have mercy on his soul. The nation's wise leadership has continued this path up to this prosperous era, with the Kingdom continuously mobilizing all its capabilities to serve the Two Holy Mosques and care for their visitors.
This statement was made during His Highness's patronage of the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum. The event, attended by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, is organized by the Ministry in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program at the King Salman International Convention Center from March 30 to April 1, 2026.
He explained that the forum serves as an extension of the care provided by this blessed country, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister--may Allah protect them. This falls within the state's ongoing commitment to enhancing services for the guests of Allah.
The Prince of Madinah Region noted that the experience of the Umrah pilgrim and visitor is not limited to performing rituals; it extends to becoming a comprehensive journey rich in meaning, connected to the roots of this great religion and the depth of Islamic civilization that originated in this blessed land. Therefore, efforts are integrated to develop services, improve their quality, and enrich the experience of the guests of Allah through qualitative projects, effective partnerships, and advanced employment of technologies--primarily Artificial Intelligence (AI)--to provide a smooth, safe, and inspiring experience.
He highlighted that the forum is gaining increasing importance as a global platform that brings together experts, stakeholders, and investors to exchange experiences, discuss opportunities, and forecast the future of the Umrah and Ziyarah sector. This enhances the integration of efforts, elevates service levels, and achieves the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
His Highness expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, all ministry personnel, and participating entities for their tremendous and continuous efforts to develop this vital sector, praying to Allah to reward them with success and recompense.
During a tour of the accompanying exhibition, the Prince of Madinah Region reviewed the pavilions on display alongside the forum's activities. Held under the theme "A History Told at Every Stop," the exhibition features 150 exhibitors from government entities, service providers, and non-profit organizations.
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah delivered a speech at the ceremony, stating: "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince--may Allah protect them--give the utmost care to the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors." He explained that, with the support and empowerment of the wise leadership, the number of Umrah pilgrims from abroad exceeded 18 million, achieving a 214% growth rate between 2022 and 2025. Meanwhile, the satisfaction rate among Umrah pilgrims rose to 94% in 2025.
He pointed out that at the Prophet's Mosque, the visitor capacity for the Rawdah Sharif doubled, reaching over 15.6 million visitors last year, while the number of developed historical and enriching sites and destinations increased to 87.
Regarding digital transformation, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah revealed that the number of users of the "Nusuk" application has surpassed 51 million worldwide. He also noted the launch of several partnerships with global travel platforms, which have helped facilitate the planning process for arriving Umrah pilgrims and expanded their options.
Then, the CEO of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), Turki bin Mohammed Al-Shuwaier, delivered a speech expressing his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister--may Allah protect them--for their support and care for scientific and cultural projects that contribute to preserving Islamic heritage and reinforcing the Kingdom's cultural identity, including the "Historical Atlas of the Prophet's Biography."
Following that, the CEO of Al Rajhi Support Commercial Services, Eng. Bandar bin Abdullah Al Rajhi delivered the official sponsor's speech. He praised the tremendous care given to serving the guests of Allah and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque, which serves as an extension of the established approach laid down by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud--may Allah rest his soul--and continued through the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
After that, the Prince of Madinah Region inaugurated a project to name the neighborhoods, streets, paths, and avenues within the Rua Al Madinah project. Implemented by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, the naming project aligns with the development's planning philosophy.
Afterwards, the Prince of Madinah Region witnessed the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and various entities related to the Umrah and Ziyarah ecosystem. His Highness also handed out the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum awards, granted to outstanding entities in the sector, as well as awards for Umrah companies and external agents.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Prince of Madinah Region honoured the success partners from supporting and contributing entities, in recognition of their roles in making the forum a success and reinforcing its journey as a global platform that helps shape the future of Umrah and Ziyarah.
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