Saudi Arabia has announced plans to host another 1,000 family members of Palestinians killed or wounded in Gaza for the Hajj pilgrimage.
The initiative is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs under a directive of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program.
The program will cover all logistical arrangements from their arrival in Saudi Arabia to their return to Palestine.
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This was confirmed in a terse statement sighted on Inside The Haramain’s page oon Monday, May 19, 2025.
The statement said; “The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued his generous directive to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from the families of Palestinian martyrs, prisoners, and wounded at his own expense to perform the Hajj rituals this year 1446 AH.”
This is not the first time the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be offering such to victims of Palestine.
In 2024 Hajj, the Saudi authorities allowed 2000 palestinian victims to performed the pilgrimage for free.
Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Iis one of the Five Pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
The Hajj occurs once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, Hajj will take place this month.
What you should know
The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out after Hamas’ October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
The Israeli army then launched a devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip that has left at least 37,164 dead, the majority of them civilians, according to Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry.
Saudi Arabia has never recognized Israel but de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was considering establishing formal diplomatic ties with Israel before the Oct. 7 attack.
Saudi leaders remain in talks with U.S. officials about a so-called mega-deal that would see Riyadh recognize Israel in exchange for a deeper security relationship with Washington.
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However Saudi officials have said ties with Israel are impossible without “irrevocable” steps toward recognition of a Palestinian state, which the Israeli government strongly opposes.
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