Riyadh says it expects a “safe” hajj pilgrimage this year despite the number of pilgrims being increased to pre-pandemic levels.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the chief of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, expressed his optimism for this year's Hajj season on Al-Ekhbariya TV.
 
He highlighted the preparations for Hajj 2023 and said he expected the pilgrimage to be "exceptional, distinguished and safe."
 
The kingdom is said to be prepared to host more than two million pilgrims heading for the holy city of Mecca.
Hajj 2023 is the first pilgrimage held after lifting of the COVID-related restrictions announced by the Arab kingdom.
 
In 2022, nearly 900,000 pilgrims were able to visit Mecca for Hajj, according to official data. In 2021, only 60,000 pilgrims from within the kingdom were allowed to participate, while in 2020, the number was reduced to 10,000.
 
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and a duty for every capable Muslim who can afford the strenuous ritual. It involves a journey to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure set as the praying direction for Muslims across the globe.