Pakistani actor Fawad Khan praises Saudi professionalism, management of Hajj

After completing his first Hajj this year, Pakistani actor, model and singer Fawad Khan said that he was impressed with Saudi Arabia’s management of millions of pilgrims and the “generous help throughout” by security personnel and government bodies at the holy sites.

“This was my first experience of Hajj and I am happy to share that I take back great memories of it and I am extremely impressed with the professionalism of the entire security and government’s management for the remarkable services rendered to all pilgrims,” Khan said at the closing ceremony of Hajj, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media.

Khan said that his wife was with him, and that it was her first time performing Hajj as well.

“Being one amongst three million people is the easiest thing on earth, you feel comfortable… When there are four levels (Jamarat) you see a sea of people coming down the ramps and you feel like it’s going to be impossible. But then you get into the crowd, and you start moving slowly with their pace like ants, but comfortably there is still space to move even though it looks like it’s impossible, it happens and you’re through, you’re done! And I think it’s only possible because there’s an efficient security force, the municipality is paying close attention to how this is going to happen and they’re trying to make it as fluid as possible,” Khan said in a video posted on the Saudi Center for Government Communication’s official Twitter account.

Khan said that he spent a portion of his childhood in Riyadh, adding that “things have always been comfortable in Saudi Arabia”.

In his speech at the closing ceremony, the actor said, “I’m honored to be representing 200 million Pakistanis in front of such a diverse audience and a nation that we love and highly respect.”

He added that among the things he noticed was the generous help of government and security forces, which ensured that the elderly and children were well hydrated.

“Being amidst large crowds of various cultural backgrounds with restrictions of language and limitations of age and abilities to bear with the challenges of heat and limited areas of movement was certainly not something I thought would be so smooth,” he said.

Khan ended his speech by thanking King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for “their devotion to the Muslim Ummah and the holy pilgrimage.”

Khan has received several awards, including a Filmfare Award, three Lux Style Awards, and six Hum Awards.