Mina – Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of Hajj Central Committee, stressed that Saudi Arabia would not allow using Hajj for any political slogans.

Faisal said that there have been calls for internationalizing the supervision of Hajj, but since its foundation, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its capabilities and competence to manage the holy Islamic occasion and to offer the best services to the pilgrims.

“Through history, the pilgrims have never been provided with services like those offered in these years. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is providing these services in order to receive the reward from Allah Almighty and to perform its duties towards the Muslims who come to this holy place every year,” Prince Faisal added.

During his interview with al-Arabiya TV station, Prince Faisal said that Iranian government can prevent citizens in Iran from performing Hajj, but cannot stop those residing outside Iran.

He confirmed that there are Iranians who preferred to perform Hajj, ignoring the ban made by their country.

The governor stated: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receives all Muslims from different sects, and provides them with the best services that can be offered by a state to its guests.”

The prince said that it is an honor for Saudi Arabia to receive all those pilgrims and serve them.

When asked about the future plans for developing Makkah and holy sites, the prince said that as part of the Vision 2030, the kingdom initiated a new project entitled “Invest in Makkah” for the projects in Makkah and holy sites.

He added that there is hope for Makkah to become the world leading smart city and the process began with the e-bracelets introduced during this year’s Hajj.

Prince Faisal pointed out that the volunteer and humanitarian work by security forces and other workers to serve the pilgrims was done out of moral and Islamic obligations.