The holy city of Makkah is preparing to host more than 2.5 million Hajj pilgrims, most of them non-Saudi, to perform this year’s rituals. The pilgrimage will begin on Friday with pilgrims resting in the Mina region before heading to Arafah on Saturday. According to figures from the General Directorate of Passports, 1,687,226 pilgrims from around the world have arrived in the Kingdom as of Sunday to perform the Hajj. Concerned authorities in Makkah and Madina have taken the necessary preparations to ensure that the pilgrims perform the rituals smoothly and with ease. The government has dedicated some 350,000 people to service the pilgrims, said Makkah region Governor Prince Khalid al-Faisal, who had toured Makkah and the holy sites on Sunday. Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef had on Sunday overseen a military parade for Hajj security forces. He also inspected security preparations for the Hajj. In Madina, 869,852 pilgrims have arrived in the city as of Monday, while 723,049 of them have departed for Makkah for the Hajj. The Health Ministry has deployed its personnel for the Hajj, along with civil defense, general security and Red Crescent teams. They will operate around the clock to respond to any emergency. More than 200 main services are being provided to the pilgrims, such as electricity and water, religious and media awareness campaigns and the issuing of permits. The Development of Makkah Region Authority has also started to sell tickets for the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line. The train is expected to service more than 2 million pilgrims, starting Friday. One ticket costs 250 riyals and grants pilgrims access throughout the Hajj. Other tickets are sold during the Days of al-Tashreeq at 50 riyals.