As part of the extensive preparations for this year’s Hajj, Saudi Arabia has held a large parade and military exercises of security forces in Makkah. This event demonstrates the importance Saudi Arabia places on ensuring the safety of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj. The colorful parade was organized directly under the supervision of Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. The event involved thousands of soldiers and military helicopters, and showcased the skills of special security units.
The purpose of this event was to verify and ensure the readiness of Saudi Arabia’s security forces for the upcoming holy days of Hajj, which will begin in a few days. The annual Hajj security parade is also a symbolic representation of Saudi Arabia’s national determination. Additionally, it is an activity held to prepare for the logistical challenges and security issues that arise when hundreds of thousands of people gather in Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah for the Hajj pilgrimage. This year’s event included demonstrations by officers from the security forces, as well as showcases of how security forces respond to emergencies and mitigate risks in other sudden situations. While helicopters were arranged in various formations in the sky, units on the ground demonstrated rapid response techniques for sudden situations.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Bassami, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, stated that Hajj security is a red line and that security forces are fully prepared to face all challenges to pilgrims’ safety. He said that security forces will continuously work to ensure that pilgrims can perform their Hajj rituals with ease and safety. More than 40,000 officers from security forces will be active during this year’s Hajj season. These officers will be involved in crowd control in densely populated areas, traffic management for vehicles, surveillance work, and immediate response situations.
Saudi Arabia will also utilize advanced technology to manage Hajj affairs. This includes facial recognition systems, drones, and smart monitoring platforms. These systems will allow for immediate action to be taken when unusual situations are detected. With many pilgrims already having arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage, communication protocols between various Saudi government agencies have been strengthened and reinforced. The Saudi Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Civil Defense are working together on numerous tasks. The ministries’ preparations include emergency medical services, sanitation units, and all infrastructure work needed for transportation. There is no doubt that the Hajj pilgrimage, which brings together more than a million people in one place, is one of the most challenging events to organize on a global scale.
