Mina: Pilgrims began arriving in Mina this morning on the eighth of Dhu Al-Hijjah 1447 AH, the Day of Tarwiyah, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), amid a spiritual atmosphere filled with Talbiyah, Tasbih, and Takbir. Mina Valley lies within the boundaries of the Holy Sanctuary between Makkah and Muzdalifah, approximately seven kilometres from the Grand Mosque. It is surrounded by mountains and bordered by Jamrat Al Aqaba on the Makkah side and Wadi Muhassar on the Muzdalifah side.
According to Bahrain News Agency, with the arrival of the first groups of pilgrims to Mina, one of the world's largest seasonal operational systems comes into effect in the heart of Makkah. Within days, Mina transforms into a fully integrated city accommodating millions of pilgrims from across the world to perform Hajj rituals with ease and tranquillity.
Bahrain News Agency noted that Mina represents a global model for managing large-scale human gatherings through an advanced operational system that includes power and cooling networks, crowd management systems, pedestrian pathways, crowd mapping, real-time crowd flow monitoring, and integrated health, security, and food services. The upgraded tent project in Mina spans approximately 2.5 million square metres and has been developed in line with enhanced safety and security standards, with a capacity exceeding 2.6 million pilgrims.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah previously announced the completion of operational preparations for crowd management plans, including training more than 30,000 personnel on digital systems and field operations. Preparations also included training more than 600 crowd management personnel and 5,000 group leaders, in addition to conducting simulation exercises to assess operational readiness and procedural efficiency.
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority also announced its readiness for the 1447 AH Hajj season, mobilising 7,700 ambulance personnel and 11 air ambulances. More than 500 ambulance points have been equipped, alongside the participation of over 1,000 male and female volunteers supporting field operations.