The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, has successfully concluded an official diplomatic mission to the Republic of Türkiye, marking a significant step in bolstering bilateral cooperation between both nations on matters concerning the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The visit, which featured high-level engagements and strategic discussions, underscored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to streamline and enhance the pilgrimage experience for Turkish pilgrims, often referred to as the Guests of Allah.
During his visit, Dr. Al-Rabiah was received by the President of Türkiye, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a move that signaled the importance both countries attach to religious tourism and the long-standing cultural and spiritual ties that bind them. The discussions with President Erdoğan centred on strengthening collaboration in the management and facilitation of Hajj and Umrah, particularly in light of the Kingdom’s ongoing digital transformation and infrastructure development under Vision 2030.
The Saudi minister also held a series of bilateral meetings with senior Turkish officials, including representatives from the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), the government agency responsible for coordinating Turkish pilgrims’ journeys to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The meetings focused on logistical improvements, expansion of digital services, and enhancing the level of coordination to ensure Turkish pilgrims enjoy a smoother, more spiritually fulfilling experience during their sacred journey.
Dr. Al-Rabiah reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to serving pilgrims from all over the world with excellence, efficiency, and compassion. He highlighted key advancements the Kingdom has made in recent years, including the launch of the Nusuk platform—a unified government portal that enables pilgrims to obtain visas, book accommodations, and access a range of services with ease and transparency.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the visit, the minister emphasized that Saudi Arabia values its historic relationship with Türkiye and is keen on building deeper cooperation in the area of religious tourism. He noted that Turkish pilgrims form a significant portion of the annual Hajj and Umrah visitors, and that the Kingdom remains dedicated to ensuring their journey is facilitated with utmost care, safety, and convenience.
This visit comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing its capacity to host millions of pilgrims annually. In 2025, the Kingdom aims to surpass pre-pandemic numbers, having already received over 1.8 million pilgrims during Hajj 1446H. Turkish nationals constituted a substantial number of that figure, reflecting Türkiye’s consistent participation and the deep spiritual connection its citizens maintain with the holy sites.
The successful conclusion of Dr. Al-Rabiah’s visit marks another milestone in Saudi-Turkish relations, particularly in the religious domain. It also serves as a strong signal that both nations are aligned in their vision to ensure that pilgrims—irrespective of nationality—are able to fulfill their religious obligations with dignity, ease, and peace of mind.
As both countries look to the future, this renewed partnership promises to enhance the operational, spiritual, and humanitarian dimensions of Hajj and Umrah for Turkish pilgrims, with lasting impact in years to come.
