Over 60 campaigns at the 'Labbaik' Hajj and Umrah exhibition

- Al-Suwailm:

- Direct monitoring and supervision of campaigns to ensure the availability of advertised services

- Our goal is to provide comfort to citizens and enhance positive competition among all campaigns

- Khalid Rafai, Ruler of Al-Fahma:

- New services for Kuwaiti pilgrims and a radical transformation of Mina camps

- Kuwait supports Hajj by all means to prepare all facilities for citizens’ comfort

In its commitment to providing a unified platform for citizens to learn about Hajj campaigns’ services and prices, and to answer their inquiries related to the Hajj season, while enhancing positive competition among them, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs launched the eighth “Labayk” Hajj Exhibition. The exhibition runs for one week, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, at the Mushrif Exhibition Grounds, with the participation of more than 60 Kuwaiti Hajj campaigns. The ministry confirmed its continued readiness and direct monitoring of season affairs in coordination with relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On the sidelines of the exhibition’s opening today, Sunday, Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Sulaiman Al-Suwailm stated that he had the honor of visiting Kuwaiti Hajj campaigns at the “Labayk” exhibition, which has been held annually for consecutive years. The event includes most companies involved in Hajj affairs, meets all the needs of Kuwaiti pilgrims, and showcases services offered by participating Hajj companies. He noted that this participation did not come out of nowhere but resulted from direct coordination between the ministry and the Kuwaiti Hajj Campaigns Union.

Al-Suwailm added that the exhibition’s objective is to provide comfort to citizens by answering all their inquiries regarding the Hajj season and prices, and to enhance positive competition among campaigns. Today, most companies are gathered in one exhibition. He emphasized the Hajj and Umrah Administration’s commitment to being present at the exhibition to answer pilgrims’ inquiries and provide them with religious, administrative, and advisory publications. A dedicated WhatsApp number, 22342238, is available for pilgrim services.

He clarified that the ministry directly supervises companies specializing in Hajj affairs, with a role focused on monitoring campaign operators and verifying the availability of advertised services. This is an annual faith-based season that requires oversight and follow-up. The ministry bears responsibility for the success of previous seasons and has not ceased its efforts since the last season, maintaining communication with brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thanking them for their efforts and fruitful cooperation.

For his part, Khalid Rafai, head of the Kuwaiti Hajj Campaigns Union and ruler of Al-Fahma, congratulated his colleagues nominated for Hajj this year. He affirmed that it has become customary for the Kuwaiti government to support Hajj by all means to ensure maximum comfort for citizen pilgrims, in cooperation with the Saudi government. He noted that the eighth exhibition’s activities began after nominating deferred pilgrims from last year, and tomorrow (Monday) the second batch will be nominated. The number of Kuwaiti pilgrims reaches 8,000 annually.

He pointed out that more than 60 campaigns are participating in the exhibition. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Supreme Hajj Committee spare no effort in facilitating matters for citizens wishing to perform Hajj. Each year, new developments emerge to serve pilgrims. He highlighted that, at the request of colleagues in the ministry, Mina camps have been expanded, with a radical transformation of Mina camps underway. Last year, a radical transformation was implemented for Arafat camps.

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Suwailm, Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, indicated that the ministry sent messages to those accepted in the new season via the “Sahl” platform, allowing them to register with campaigns within three days. He emphasized that following the outstanding success of the previous season, direct daily communication is maintained with relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve pilgrims performing Hajj to the House of Allah.

Khaled Refaie, head of the Kuwaiti Hajj Campaigns Union and sponsor of the Al-Fahma program, clarified that this year’s prices have not exceeded those of last year, remaining affordable for all. Compared with neighboring countries, Hajj prices in Kuwait are the lowest in the Middle East relative to the services provided.