Mina, Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims began their journey from Makkah to Mina early Wednesday, June 4, to mark the Day of Tarwiyah, officially commencing the Hajj pilgrimage for 2025. In line with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they recited the talbiyah as they made their way to the Tent City of Mina. Over 1.47 million international pilgrims have joined hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Qarni, Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Royal Commission’s General Transportation Center, confirmed that the arrival phase for international pilgrims has been completed without major incidents. Domestic pilgrims began arriving in Makkah on Monday and Tuesday, performing the initial rites before proceeding to Mina. Transportation to Arafat will involve the Mashair train and other modes, carrying over a million pilgrims in total.

To accommodate the large influx, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has completed extensive preparations at Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina. Covering 27,000 square meters with prayer rugs and upgraded with a new air-conditioning system, the mosque now features smart monitoring for improved air quality and temperature control, ensuring a more comfortable environment amid the summer heat.

With high temperatures expected, Saudi authorities have significantly scaled up healthcare services. The Ministry of Health has deployed 50,000 staff, including medical and administrative personnel. More than 700 beds have been prepared with cooling systems, and three field hospitals along with 71 emergency points are now operational. Officials confirmed the overall health status of pilgrims is stable, with over 98,000 medical services already provided.