This is no figure of speech. The Saudi leadership quite literally does not sleep during Hajj.

Year after year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unparalleled ability to uphold the sacred trust bestowed upon it by God — the responsibility of organizing the Hajj and serving the guests of the Almighty. In doing so, it has become a global benchmark for managing the largest annual human gathering on earth, marked by precision, professionalism, and utmost safety.

At the heart of this unparalleled effort lies the unwavering commitment of the Saudi leadership — led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God preserve them. The title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” is not a mere ceremonial designation. It reflects the essence of Saudi leadership, which dedicates all its resources to serving pilgrims, with the full support and pride of the Saudi people.

Each year, the world watches a remarkable scene unfold as the Kingdom welcomes millions of pilgrims and oversees the Hajj rituals with a unique model of care, logistics, and humaneness — a system that reflects the Saudi leadership’s devotion to the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and to the dignity of the pilgrims.

It is no surprise that the Kingdom is globally hailed as a model in managing this colossal annual event. For Saudi Arabia, Hajj is not only an honor but a historic and religious duty, passed down through generations of leadership and upheld with national vigor and responsibility.

The Two Holy Mosques lie at the very core of Saudi Arabia’s identity — a cornerstone of its spiritual and civilizational mission since the unification of the Kingdom by its founding father, King Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him.

This devotion manifests in every detail of Hajj management. Ministries, security forces, medical units, and service sectors operate in seamless coordination to provide a deeply spiritual, safe, and smooth experience for pilgrims from all corners of the world.

What stands out year after year is the meticulous and direct supervision of the Saudi leadership. King Salman personally oversees preparations, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman follows the developments minute by minute, issuing instructions to ensure the utmost comfort and security of the pilgrims — tirelessly and without delay.

This is no figure of speech. The Saudi leadership quite literally does not sleep during Hajj. Real-time decisions, instant adjustments, and swift implementations are hallmarks of a flexible and efficient system — all aimed at ensuring that the guests of God fulfill their rites in peace and safety.

Security remains the foundational pillar of Hajj operations. The Kingdom spares no effort in protecting pilgrims from all potential risks — organizational, health-related, or security threats. Thousands of security personnel are strategically deployed across the holy sites, backed by advanced monitoring technologies, real-time tracking systems, and crowd management strategies designed to swiftly respond to any emergency.

Yet beyond safety, the Kingdom offers pilgrims peace of mind — a palpable sense of care and protection that enhances the spiritual serenity of the Hajj experience.

The massive expansion projects in the holy sites are a clear testament to this dedication. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has implemented the largest expansion in the history of the Grand Mosque, alongside the development of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. Modern transport systems, bus lanes, and the Mashair Train have all contributed to reducing congestion and facilitating the pilgrim flow.

Saudi Arabia has also established a robust medical infrastructure, with hundreds of clinics, field hospitals, air ambulances, cooling stations, air-conditioned tents, and water and food distribution points — all functioning 24/7 as part of a fully integrated logistical network.

Nor has the Kingdom been left behind in the digital age. On the contrary, technology has been seamlessly woven into the Hajj operation. Smart applications now guide pilgrims, provide real-time assistance, issue fatwas, and help locate services. Artificial intelligence and multilingual service robots offer on-the-ground support, making the pilgrim experience smoother and more accessible.

This digital transformation is not about technological showmanship, but rather about achieving the ultimate goal — easing the physical and emotional burden on every pilgrim.

In alignment with Vision 2030, the Kingdom has made pilgrim service a national priority. The “Guests of God Service Program” is a flagship initiative aimed at upgrading every aspect of the Hajj and Umrah journey — from arrival to departure — by expanding capacity, enhancing quality, and enriching the spiritual experience.

This reflects not a seasonal commitment, but a long-term, strategic pledge to make the pilgrimage not only spiritually fulfilling but also welcoming, dignified, and memorable.

What distinguishes the Saudi model is its dedication to constant improvement. After each Hajj season, thorough reviews are conducted, feedback is analyzed, committees convene, and plans are updated to address challenges and refine processes. Lessons learned are actively incorporated into future operations.

This proactive approach sends a clear message: the safety and service of pilgrims is a red line for the Kingdom — a responsibility never taken lightly, and never compromised.

Hajj in Saudi Arabia is not merely an event. It is a grand narrative of dedication and accountability, orchestrated by leaders who remain alert, teams who think ahead, and hands that serve with sincerity.

Yes, no human operation is perfect. Minor lapses are natural in an event of such scale. Yet unfortunately, some exploit these rare instances to spread negativity or distort reality. Saudi Arabia, with its transparent governance and quiet confidence, does not answer with rhetoric — it responds with action, consistent upgrades, and the undeniable testimony of millions of satisfied pilgrims.

Credible voices across the Arab, Islamic, and global media landscape have praised Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management as a model of service, discipline, and sincerity — a standard to aspire to.

Year after year, the Kingdom continues to prove that it is most worthy of this sacred trust — not just capable, but exemplary. In doing so, it transforms one of the world’s greatest logistical challenges into a shining symbol of compassion, order, and excellence.

We pray to Almighty God to bless our wise leadership and grant continued success to all those serving this Hajj season. May the Kingdom and its people remain forever safe and prosperous.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

The statement, issued from the General Secretariat in Makkah, reaffirmed the MWL’s unwavering stance—shared by the broader Islamic world—against all forms of violence and terrorism. It categorically rejected any justification for such acts and strongly opposed the exploitation of religion or culture to legitimize terrorism.

In its message, the MWL emphasized that terrorism has no place in any faith or tradition, and it should not be associated with any race, religion, or community. “Violent extremism must be condemned unequivocally, regardless of its form or manifestation,” the statement declared.

The timing of the statement was significant, coming shortly after a high-profile meeting between MWL Secretary General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jeddah on Tuesday. The meeting highlighted shared concerns around global terrorism and deepened the dialogue between India and the Islamic world on peacebuilding and counter-extremism efforts.

The MWL’s remarks also referenced a recent joint statement issued during PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where both nations reinforced their commitment to combat terrorism and its financing. The MWL praised the “pivotal Saudi-Indian cooperation” and called for dismantling the cross-border terror infrastructure and bringing its perpetrators to justice.

Headquartered in Makkah, the MWL is one of the most prominent Islamic non-governmental organizations, with a global presence aimed at promoting peace, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian outreach. Under the leadership of Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, the MWL has taken a progressive stance against extremism, earning international respect for its efforts to build bridges across faiths and cultures.

India’s connection with the MWL has grown in recent years, especially under Prime Minister Modi’s outreach to the Muslim world. Dr. Al-Issa’s public condemnation of terrorism reflects a growing strategic alignment between India and key Islamic institutions in promoting global peace and fighting radical ideologies.

President Pezeshkian highlighted the deep religious, cultural, and historical bonds shared by Muslim countries and stressed the need to build stronger solidarity across the Islamic world. He called for greater collaboration between Tehran and Riyadh in political, economic, and security sectors, saying such efforts could help address regional challenges without external interference.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to expand its ties with Saudi Arabia in all arenas,” President Pezeshkian stated during the meeting. He welcomed the idea of forming joint working groups to explore opportunities for cooperation in key areas.

The Iranian president noted that unity among Islamic countries is essential for peace, security, and lasting economic development. “Disputes and poverty do not befit the Islamic Ummah,” he said, adding that leaders in the Muslim world have the potential to set an inspiring example of peaceful coexistence and progress.

President Pezeshkian also expressed his readiness to host Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Tehran, signaling a desire for continued high-level engagement between the two influential nations.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, for his part, conveyed greetings from the Saudi king and crown prince, and described his meetings with Iranian officials as positive and constructive, signaling a shared commitment to closer cooperation and regional peace.

The meeting marks another milestone in the warming of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, following the restoration of diplomatic ties last year under the China-brokered Beijing Agreement.

Vaibhav Singh opened the conversation with a blunt observation: there seems to be a glaring absence of protests when it comes to atrocities faced by Uyghur Muslims in China, Balochs in Pakistan, or even the Sindhi and Pashtun communities who have endured brutal oppression. He questioned why the deaths of 20,000 Mahajirs in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur go unmentioned in Indian Muslim discourse, while emotional demonstrations erupt for Palestine and Rohingya Muslims.

He highlighted the horrific reality in Xinjiang, where practicing Islam is almost criminalized—people are forced to surrender prayer mats in police stations, growing a beard is banned, and even Islamic names are discouraged. Yet, no placards or rallies appear in Indian streets for them.

Instead, Singh lamented, the spotlight is always on Palestine. Thousands protest in Indian cities, sometimes to the extent of vandalism, as was the case when some reportedly attacked Amar Jawan Jyoti in Mumbai in the name of solidarity with the Rohingyas. “Why such selective empathy?” he asked. “Are Indian Muslims afraid of Pakistan and China?”

Zahack Tanvir responded with a layered analysis that combined historical context with geopolitical realism. He agreed that the overwhelming focus on Palestine while ignoring other equally devastating crises suggests a form of emotional manipulation rather than informed advocacy. “Most Muslims here don’t even realize that India is engaged in a silent conflict with both Pakistan and China,” he said. “But even beyond that, there is a kind of shameless tunnel vision—where people hold on to just one or two issues and act as if those define the entire Muslim world’s struggle.”

He dug deeper into the Palestinian issue, emphasizing how it has evolved over the last 75 years into a political industry. “Billions have been poured into it. NGOs, lobbies, donations, protests—yet no solution has emerged. Not because one isn’t possible, but because resolving it would shut down a global cottage industry of activism, influence, and income,” Zahack said. He clarified that his statements weren’t anti-Palestinian but rather critical of the politicization of their suffering.

He further illustrated how Palestinians, themselves a diverse mix of Muslims, Christians, Communists, Marxists, and Atheists, have historically disrupted the very nations that sheltered them. In Lebanon, internal conflict erupted with the local Christian population. In Jordan, they attempted to assassinate King Hussein. “This isn’t just a Muslim issue—it was initially an Arab issue supported by Arab Christians,” Zahack explained.

Shifting the lens inward, he shared a startling reality: many Palestinians, Syrians, and Jordanians are unaware that India has over 250 million Muslims. “When I told them, they were shocked. For them, Pakistan equals Muslims, and India equals Hindus,” Zahack said.

And yet, Indian Muslims in places like Mominpura, Shivaji Nagar, or Zakir Nagar wage symbolic battles—boycotting multinational brands like Nestlé, Starbucks, and McDonald’s—as a gesture of protest.

“But what difference does it make? In 1973, all Arab nations imposed an oil embargo on the U.S. It didn’t stop America from giving $2 billion in aid to Israel, and later $8 billion more,” Zahack pointed out. “When a country has wealth and a strong lobby, a few boycotted chocolates and potato chips won’t matter.”

Zahack stressed that national interest should always come first. “Every country is looking after itself. Sudan and Morocco don’t have a problem with Israel. Bahrain and the UAE have formal ties. The Turks and Kurds have moved on. So why are we getting emotionally entangled in their politics?”

Zahack reiterated India’s pragmatic foreign policy: a two-state solution that respects both Israeli and Palestinian rights to exist. “India isn’t blindly siding with anyone. It maintains healthy relations with Russia, the U.S., Israel, and the Arab nations. We are focused on trade, growth, and development,” he said.

He ended the discussion with a powerful anecdote: while speaking with an Egyptian army officer, Zahack explained why India doesn’t get involved in third-party fights. The officer nodded in agreement, appreciating India’s non-interventionist stance.

“Why should we fight your fight?” Zahack asked. “You fight today and hug tomorrow. We’ll mind our own business.”

The dialogue between Vaibhav Singh and Zahack Tanvir wasn’t just a critique of selective outrage; it was a call to maturity in activism. It challenged Indian Muslims—and Indians at large—to think with clarity, weigh their allegiances with wisdom, and prioritize national interest over borrowed causes.

The theme of the meeting will be “Dialogue and Prospects for Cooperation”, which will include a broad participation of officials, scholars, and intellectuals from the Russian Federation and Islamic countries to discuss common issues and the prospects of cooperation in confronting the existing challenges.

The GSV comprises of 33 state and public figures from 27 Muslim countries, which also includes former prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs, and many religious figures from the Islamic world.

Russia has been making efforts to strengthen its relations with the Islamic world, and this meeting comes to bridge the gaps between the followers of different religions and cultures.

The Group was established in 2006 under the supervision of Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov and Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev after the Russian Federation joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an observer member. Currently, the group will focus on developing measures to strengthen a long-term cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries.