The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program hosted more than 62,000 pilgrims from 140 countries from around the world since it was launched in 1417 AH. During a press conference held in Makkah, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and the General Supervisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program, Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh, emphasized that the ministry"s work is carried out through three main tracks. The first track involves preparing and equipping over 1,000 mosques, including the Miqats and the areas surrounding the holy sites. The second track focuses on the activities of the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, which aims to provide 32 million educational services in more than 40 international languages. Al-Sheikh said the third track pertains to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Guest Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. This year, the program is hosting 1,300 pilgrims from more than 90 countries, in addition to 1,000 pilgrims from the families of martyrs and the wounded from Palestine. Al-Sheikh pointed out that over 7,200 Saudi personnel have been assigned to serve the pilgrims. The ministry, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Makkah and Holy Sites, has completed the development, maintenance, and cleaning of all mosques in the holy sites. Notably, 75 new mosques were constructed in Makkah at a cost of SR250 million, and all mosques in Makkah received full maintenance at a cost of over SR300 million. Additionally, half a million square meters of luxurious carpets were furnished in all mosques in the holy sites and the miqats. For the Hajj season, 1,300 preachers have been assigned to work round the clock, implementing more than 200,000 advocacy activities. A video calling service has been launched via iPads in the holy sites, and a free phone service (8002451000) has been established to receive pilgrims" calls through 200 lines. Al-Sheikh mentioned that the ministry distributes millions of copies of the Qur"an as a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to pilgrims. Furthermore, the ministry translates Qur"anic verses into more than 76 international languages. An electronic library service has been introduced, providing over 1,000 scientific and guidance materials in more than 40 international languages. Regarding the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" program for Hajj and Umrah, Minister Al-Sheikh explained that this year"s royal approval includes hosting 1,300 pilgrims from over 90 countries worldwide, as well as 1,000 male and female pilgrims from the families of martyrs and the wounded from Palestine. The program also welcomes a thousand pilgrims from the families of Saudi martyrs and wounded individuals who participated in the Decisive Storm, along with a thousand pilgrims from the families of Yemeni martyrs and wounded individuals who also participated in the Decisive Storm. Additionally, orders were issued to host 280 pilgrims from Syria, 130 from the Arab Organization ALESCO, and 150 scholars from Yemen, bringing the total number of guest pilgrims this year to 4,951 males and females. He added that the program this year distributed its tasks to 18 committees working around the clock to achieve the goals of the program and provide five-star services for all the invitees from the moment of their arrival until their departure back to their countries, in line with the importance of the program and the support it receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the follow-up of the Crown Prince. — SPA