King Salman: Serving Hajj pilgrims is great honor for our country

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at the Royal Court at Mina Palace a number of princes, Grand Mufti, scholars, sheikhs, GCC senior invited officials, ministers, commanders of military sectors participating in this year's Hajj season, leaders of scouts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participating in this year's Hajj season, who came to greet the monarch and congratulate him on the occassion of Eid Al-Adha.

The audience was attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense.

The king gave a speech on Tuesday in which he lauded the forces and the services provided to Hajj pilgrims this year.

“The pilgrims and the whole world watch and feel your efforts in serving the pilgrims. This is your duty and an honor that you will be rewarded for by Allah Almighty.

We are proud of the great sacrifices by the military sectors personnel to defend our country and protect its holy places,” King Salman said.

Earlier in the day, he tweeted on Tuesday that it was a great honor for the kingdom to serve Hajj pilgrims.

"The greatest honor God has given to our country is to serve the guests of God (Hajj pilgrims). On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, I ask God that their pilgrimage be completed with success and for peace to our Muslim nations and peace to all countries," the tweet read.

This year, the total number of pilgrims reached 2,371,675.

1,758,722 of whom came from outside Saudi Arabia, whereas 612,953 came from inside Saudi Arabia.

The total number of male pilgrims reached 1,327,127 pilgrims, while female pilgrims reached 1,044,548 pilgrims.

With respect to the pilgrims arriving from outside Saudi Arabia, GCC pilgrims reached 34,140 pilgrims with 1.9%, while the number of pilgrims from Arab countries apart from GCC pilgrims reached 395,410 pilgrims with 22.5%.