Caaqil News -- The Federal Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of Somalia, Hon. Mukhtar Robow Ali, attended a high-level international conference today in the holy city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on the facilitation and enhancement of services provided to pilgrims during Hajj. The meeting brought together Islamic religious leaders and ministers responsible for Hajj and Umrah from across the Muslim world.
The summit, which was officially chaired by Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, was held as part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to improve the quality, efficiency, and spiritual value of the Hajj experience for millions of Muslims who gather annually to fulfill one of Islam’s five pillars.
Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Hajj Modernization
In his opening remarks, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah underlined the Saudi government’s deep commitment to facilitating a smooth, dignified, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage. He announced a range of new initiatives aimed at enhancing services in the key areas of healthcare, communication, transportation, and public awareness, especially tailored to meet the needs of the growing number of international pilgrims.
The Saudi Minister emphasized the importance of partnership with Muslim countries to ensure a unified approach to Hajj organization, and revealed that this year the Kingdom has implemented advanced technologies and emergency preparedness systems to better manage the flow of pilgrims, reduce risks, and respond rapidly to any emergencies that may arise during the pilgrimage.
"Facilitating the Hajj journey is not only a logistical challenge but a sacred responsibility," said Dr. Al-Rabiah. "We are continuously investing in innovation, infrastructure, and human resources to ensure pilgrims can focus entirely on their spiritual duties without disruption or distress."
Somalia’s Active Participation and Strong Advocacy
Representing the Somali government, Minister Mukhtar Robow delivered an impassioned address thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its longstanding support and hospitality towards Somali pilgrims. He also praised the Kingdom's consistent efforts in improving the conditions under which Muslims from across the world perform their religious duties.
In his statement, the Minister affirmed Somalia's commitment to further enhancing the preparation and management of its Hajj delegations. He noted that this year, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has made significant strides in training pilgrimage guides, coordinating with airline services, and establishing pre-arranged accommodations for Somali pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
The Hajj is a cornerstone of our faith, and it is our duty to ensure that Somali pilgrims undertake this journey in safety, comfort, and with dignity,” said Minister Robow. “We appreciate the Kingdom’s initiative in convening this important dialogue and look forward to deeper collaboration to ensure our people are served in the best possible manner.”
He further called for continued inter-governmental cooperation between the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia and its counterparts in Muslim-majority countries, especially those with large Hajj contingents and limited infrastructure.
Enhancing Pilgrim Services: A Shared Muslim Duty
Throughout the conference, various panels discussed the need to modernize and streamline Hajj services across five critical domains:
1. Healthcare Services: The Saudi Health Ministry presented a new framework for mobile clinics, multilingual medical teams, and emergency triage centers that will be deployed across the holy sites. This includes the availability of specialized care for elderly and chronically ill pilgrims.
2. Transportation and Crowd Management: Delegates reviewed newly introduced AI-powered traffic monitoring systems and intelligent crowd dispersal strategies designed to minimize congestion and prevent stampedes, especially during peak ritual times.
3. Religious Awareness Campaigns: Participating nations were encouraged to launch national-level educational initiatives ahead of the pilgrimage. These would include guides, seminars, and digital applications aimed at educating pilgrims on how to perform the rituals properly and avoid cultural or religious misunderstandings.
4. Media and Communication: A specialized session was dedicated to the role of media in Hajj. Government representatives were briefed on how Saudi Arabia is utilizing international media channels and local broadcasters to ensure real-time updates are disseminated to pilgrims, and how misinformation is being actively combated.
5. Digital Pilgrimage Management Tools: The conference showcased mobile applications developed by the Kingdom that allow pilgrims to access schedules, maps, emergency alerts, and religious fatwas directly on their smartphones — an initiative especially lauded by representatives from developing nations.
Somalia’s Internal Hajj Readiness Plan
On the sidelines of the conference, Somali officials revealed that the country has finalized a national strategy to oversee all aspects of the Hajj mission. This includes:
The training and deployment of Hajj mission staff to assist and guide Somali pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Implementation of health screening protocols in Mogadishu before departure.
Partnership with reputable airline operators to ensure timely and safe flights to Jeddah and Madinah.
Establishment of a complaints and support desk for Somali pilgrims to raise concerns during their stay.
The Somali Ministry has also secured agreements with Saudi-based hospitality and transportation companies to facilitate smoother transit between holy sites.
Bilateral Talks with Other Muslim Nations
Beyond the main sessions, Minister Robow held several bilateral meetings with religious affairs ministers from other Muslim-majority countries including Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Malaysia. These discussions focused on experience-sharing, capacity-building programs, and the potential for creating a Pan-Islamic Hajj coordination framework that would offer technical support to less-resourced nations.
Somalia, which has been rebuilding its public service sector after decades of conflict, expressed particular interest in learning from countries with mature Hajj management systems to ensure that Somali pilgrims benefit from global best practices.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Vision for Hajj
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embarked on a long-term strategy to position itself not just as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques but as a global leader in spiritual tourism. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to increase the number of pilgrims while ensuring safety and sustainability.
This includes multi-billion dollar investments in:
The expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport and Makkah Metro.
Smart ID systems that track pilgrim movement.
Environmental measures such as eco-friendly transportation and water conservation systems at pilgrimage sites.
For countries like Somalia, these advancements offer an opportunity to tap into a more structured, efficient, and inclusive Hajj system.
Somali Pilgrims Set for a Transformative Hajj Experience
With Hajj season rapidly approaching, Somalia is expected to send thousands of pilgrims. Thanks to proactive efforts by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, these pilgrims will receive greater support and protection than ever before.
In a statement to the Somali media, Minister Robow reiterated the government's firm commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of Hajj slots, affordability of travel packages, and accountability in the disbursement of Hajj mission funds.
He concluded:
For Somali Muslims, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey. It is our responsibility to ensure they experience it with honor and ease. We thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for being a steadfast partner in that noble mission."
