Saudi, Türkiye in Talks to Ease 2026 Hajj Operations

Al-Rabiah meets Erdoğan, vows improved digital services for pilgrims

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has opened a two-day official visit to the Republic of Türkiye in a fresh bid to expand bilateral cooperation ahead of Hajj 2026.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Rabiah is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials. Talks will centre on strengthening service delivery for pilgrims, sharing expertise, and deploying digital solutions to ease the challenges faced by worshippers.

Officials noted that the visit is also expected to consolidate Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Programm, one of the flagship initiatives under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform agenda which seeks to raise service quality, enhance the spiritual journey, and improve logistics for millions of Muslims performing Hajj and Umrah.

PEACE magazine gathered that the Saudi Minister’s trip reflects the Kingdom’s increasing reliance on international partnerships to deliver seamless pilgrimage experiences. For Nigeria and other large Muslim-majority nations, the reforms are seen as critical in ensuring smoother participation in future Hajj operations.

SPA added that the visit will include bilateral discussions on digital transformation and practical measures to enhance safety, accommodation, and transportation for pilgrims.

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