Riyadh: Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and General Supervisor of the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh inaugurated today at the ministry's headquarters the activities of the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation for the 1447 AH Hajj season.

According to Saudi Press Agency, this initiative forms part of the ministry's comprehensive plan to provide religious outreach and awareness programs for pilgrims. The inauguration was attended by a number of undersecretaries and directors of various departments.

The secretariat's work includes implementing a comprehensive package of outreach programs. These include lectures and sermons, as well as responding to inquiries from pilgrims and Umrah performers at multiple locations.

These locations include mosques surrounding the Grand Mosque, facilities at Mount Arafat and Mount Thawr, and prayer rooms in hotels within the central area around the Haram.

Services also include operating a toll-free hotline (8002451000), available around the clock to receive inquiries in multiple languages. In addition, video communication services are provided via iPads to enable direct responses to religious questions in various languages.

The initiatives further include broadcasting awareness messages on electronic screens across multiple sites 24/7. They also include the distribution of educational and informational materials throughout Makkah in several international languages through field service locations, ensuring broad access for all pilgrims.

The launch of these initiatives reflects the ministry's commitment to delivering comprehensive religious services to pilgrims. It aims to enrich their spiritual journey and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility. This underscores the Kingdom's ongoing dedication to serving and caring for pilgrims.