Minister of MOHIA Meets Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah in Makkah

Monday, 29 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH, corresponding to 25 Jawza 1405 SH

The Minister of MOHIA, Sheikh-ul-Hadith Dr. Noor Mohammad Saqib, headed a delegation that included Sheikh Abdul Fattah Haqqani, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Riyadh; Mawlawi Abdul Baqi Sajjad, Hajj Consul in Makkah; and Mawlawi Mohammad Ashraf Haqqani, Director General for the Coordination of Mosque Affairs at the Ministry. The delegation met and held discussions in Makkah with Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with several other senior officials.

During this important meeting, held at the headquarters of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, both sides exchanged views on the continuation of religious and cultural relations between the two countries, the further improvement and organization of Hajj affairs, preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, increasing the Hajj quota for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and expanding cooperation in other related areas.

At the meeting, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah welcomed the Afghan delegation led by the Minister of MOHIA and commended the Minister’s presence for the direct supervision and management of Afghan pilgrims' affairs. He expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation between the two countries in the field of Hajj and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s enduring commitment to serving Afghan pilgrims.

He further stated that cooperation between the two countries in improving the management of Hajj affairs, expanding facilities for pilgrims, and exchanging administrative and technical expertise would continue to be strengthened. He also assured that collaboration in implementing joint training programs and capacity-building initiatives would continue and be further expanded.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh-ul-Hadith Dr. Noor Mohammad Saqib expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the leadership of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Government of Saudi Arabia, and especially the officials of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the successful and effective management of the 1447 AH Hajj season, the excellent organization of Hajj affairs, the implementation of advanced administrative and technical systems, and the provision of extensive facilities and services for pilgrims.

He also expressed appreciation for Afghan pilgrims’ benefit from these valuable services and congratulated the Saudi authorities on the successful completion of the Hajj process.

The Minister further announced the full readiness of the Ministry of MOHIA to implement the agreement and timeline presented by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding Hajj 1448 AH. He assured that all administrative, technical, and organizational matters related to next year’s Hajj would be carried out systematically and on schedule in accordance with the established procedures and timelines.

The meeting also included discussions on further improving services for Afghan pilgrims, modernizing Hajj administration, training and capacity building for members of Afghanistan’s Hajj mission, exchanging expertise, and expanding technical cooperation between the two ministries. The Minister welcomed the opportunity to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s experience and to implement joint training programs, emphasizing their importance in enhancing service quality and improving Hajj management.

The issue of increasing Afghanistan’s Hajj quota also constituted an important part of the discussions. Referring to Afghanistan’s growing population and the widespread desire of its citizens to perform Hajj, the Minister noted that, according to the latest reports from international organizations, Afghanistan’s population is estimated at 43.8 million people.

He added that every year, upon the announcement of Hajj registration in Afghanistan, more than 100,000 Afghan citizens register to perform this important religious obligation. He expressed hope that, in light of Afghanistan’s population growth and the high public demand for Hajj, special consideration would be given to increasing the country’s Hajj quota so that more Afghan citizens may have the opportunity to fulfill this important pillar of Islam.

The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere, and both sides expressed hope that such meetings would contribute to strengthening long-term cooperation, mutual trust, and sustainable relations between the two ministries.