Al-Masoudi announces the preparations for the upcoming Hajj season

INA-  Baghdad

Today, Thursday, the launch of the central forum for the Iraqi Hajj mission to receive the Labaitum Excellence Award, while the head of the Hajj Authority, Sami Al-Masoudi, indicated that most of the preparations for the next Hajj season have been completed.

Al-Masoudi said, during the launch of the central forum for the Iraqi Hajj mission to receive the Labaitum Excellence Award, attended by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent: “Most of the preparations for the next Hajj season have been completed.”

Al-Masoudi added "Iraq's winning the first place for the Labaitum Excellence Award is the result of the government's exceptional support, as well as the great efforts made by the Authority by its staff."

Al-Masoudi pointed out that “the reasons for the success are Iraq’s use of the automation system in passports, as our country preceded all Arab and Islamic countries with the visa system and issuing “visas” to pilgrims electronically, in addition to the introduction of modern systems and services applied for the first time in Iraq, including the use of the GPS system on buses, which facilitated Knowing the arrival of land Hajj buses, in addition to unifying the bags of all pilgrims in one color in order to ensure that they are not lost, as well as building the first city for pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims in the Ain al-Tamr district, the road linking Holy Karbala and the Arar port, where the service was delivered in a record period that did not exceed 60 days, in addition building bakeries’ ovens in Mecca in order to improve the livelihood of pilgrims.”

He continued "The Authority was able to present two financial initiatives from its investment budget generated from the profits of its companies and with the approval of the Prime Minister, as the cost of Hajj was subsidized by an amount of 39 billion dinars, which contributed to the expenses of the Iraqi pilgrim being the least expensive among the countries of the world and the best service among them, in addition to paying sums of money." The cost of the sacrifice for all pilgrims in order to reduce the financial burden on them, and the distinguished sites in Arafat and Mina were chosen, as the pilgrims stayed in German-made refrigerated tents and meals were provided, which led to the pilgrims devoting themselves to worship.”

Al-Masoudi extended his thanks to the efforts of the Iraqi Media Network in transmitting the Hajj ceremonies in all details and supporting the Authority’s efforts in making this exceptional season success, while announcing full readiness for the next season.

He stressed "A number of contracts have been concluded, which will enhance the authority's efforts in providing all requirements for the Hajj season."