The National Center for Performance Measurement of Public Entities (Adaa) announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an exceptional milestone by welcoming 19.5 million pilgrims from outside the Kingdom during 2025. This figure reflects a significant leap in capacity and organizational capabilities. The achievement was not limited to numbers but extended to the quality of the experience, with pilgrim satisfaction exceeding 90%. This is a global testament to the success of the integrated services system, which falls under the objectives of the Pilgrim Service Program, one of the most important programs of Saudi Vision 2030.

Historical background and honor of service

Since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has considered serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors a historic honor and a profound religious responsibility. Over the decades, this service has evolved from traditional efforts into a sophisticated institutional system that utilizes the latest technologies and administrative methods to ensure the safety and comfort of millions. This latest achievement is the culmination of decades of investment in the infrastructure of the Holy Sites and the development of human resources, reaffirming the Kingdom's leading role in the Islamic world.

Integration of efforts and quality of services

The Guests of God Service Program explained that this success would not have been possible without the harmony and integration of efforts among more than 60 governmental, private, and non-profit entities. Satisfaction indicators recorded remarkable figures, reaching 91% among Hajj pilgrims and 94% among Umrah pilgrims, demonstrating the meticulous planning and efficient execution at every stage of their journey, from obtaining visas and receiving pilgrims at entry points to transportation, accommodation, and performing the rituals with ease and peace of mind.

Enriching the experience and enhancing community engagement

The efforts were not limited to service and organizational aspects, but extended to enriching the religious and cultural experience of the pilgrims. In this context, 18 historical and Islamic sites in Mecca and Medina, linked to the Prophet's biography, were developed and enhanced, allowing visitors to deepen their spiritual connection and add an intellectual dimension to their journey. On a community level, the participation of more than 184,000 volunteers exemplified the highest form of national solidarity, as they actively contributed to guidance, organization, and the provision of humanitarian services, reflecting the deeply rooted values ​​of giving within Saudi society.

Strategic impact and Vision 2030

This achievement is a cornerstone in realizing the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to increase the capacity to receive 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually. The success in managing these millions of pilgrims also enhances the Kingdom's international standing, not only as a religious destination but also as a leading model in crowd management and complex logistics. This success further supports economic diversification goals by promoting religious tourism as a key non-oil sector.

The program concluded by emphasizing that these achievements are nothing but an extension of the unlimited support and direct guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who place serving the guests of God at the top of the state’s priorities, while harnessing all capabilities to continue improving the quality of services year after year.

In a move reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to eradicating corruption and promoting transparency and integrity, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced that it has initiated several major criminal cases recently. These efforts are part of the comprehensive reforms underway in the Kingdom under Vision 2030, which prioritizes combating corruption to ensure an attractive investment environment, protect public funds, and achieve sustainable development. These periodic announcements from Nazaha are part of its transparency policy, keeping the public informed about its ongoing efforts to prosecute those who violate the law.

The official spokesperson for the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority stated that the Authority has initiated a number of criminal cases during the past period, and the necessary legal procedures are being completed against the perpetrators. The most prominent cases were as follows:

The first case: In cooperation with the Public Investment Fund, a resident working as a project manager in one of the Fund’s commercial entities was arrested for receiving (2,175,000) riyals from two citizens “who were arrested” who own a commercial entity and a resident working as an executive manager of another commercial entity “who was arrested” in exchange for awarding a project to renovate one of the company’s sites to one of the commercial entities, in addition to enabling the two commercial entities to obtain subcontract work in one of the projects.

The second case: An employee working in health affairs in one of the regions was arrested at the moment he received an amount of (500,000) riyals, in exchange for facilitating the qualification and awarding procedures for two projects in health affairs in the same region to one of the commercial entities with a total amount of (384,295,150) riyals. Through investigations it was proven that the total amount agreed upon was (10,000,000) riyals, of which he had previously received an amount of (4,500,000) riyals from the executive director of the commercial entity “who was arrested.” The first one handed over the amount to the director of engineering affairs, the assistant general manager of engineering affairs, and the head of the bids examination committee in the same health affairs “who were arrested.”

The third case: Three employees working in the Civil Status Department in one of the regions were arrested for receiving (850,000) riyals in installments from a citizen who was arrested in exchange for registering births and issuing national identity cards in an irregular manner.

The fourth case: In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, a retired non-commissioned officer was arrested for embezzling (2,160,000) riyals from the funds seized in criminal cases during his time working at a police station in one of the governorates.

Fifth case: An employee working in the secretariat of one of the governorates was arrested at the moment he received the sum of (300,000) riyals out of an agreed sum of (800,000) riyals, in exchange for facilitating and completing the procedures for issuing licenses, organizational sketches and raw land in the same governorate.

Case Six: In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, a non-commissioned officer working in the Civil Defense in one of the governorates was arrested for requesting sums of money from commercial entities in exchange for not issuing violations for their non-compliance with safety regulations.

Case Seven: In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, a soldier working at a police station in one of the regions and two citizens were arrested for conspiring to steal (1,400,000) riyals from a resident.

Case Eight: An employee working in the secretariat of one of the regions was arrested for receiving an amount of (20,000) riyals from a citizen who was arrested in exchange for facilitating the procedures for awarding a project to construct and develop a building for one of the municipalities, as he was a member of the bids examination committee.

Case Nine: An employee working at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and a resident were arrested for receiving sums of money from citizens in exchange for opening files and updating the eligibility for agricultural support for livestock by creating fake numbers for non-existent livestock.

Case Ten: An employee working at the municipality of one of the regions was arrested for receiving sums of money in exchange for issuing building permits and building completion certificates in an irregular manner, in cooperation with a resident who was arrested and who works for a contracting company.

Eleventh case: An employee working for the development authority of one of the regions was suspended for employing his wife in one of the companies contracted with his employer and for her receiving monthly salaries without her presence.

These issues are of paramount importance due to their direct impact on the trust of citizens and investors in state institutions. Prosecuting those involved in corruption cases, regardless of their positions, sends a powerful message that no one is above the law, thus strengthening the rule of law and reinforcing the principle of justice. Economically, these measures contribute to improving the business climate and attracting foreign investment, as transparency and the fight against corruption are among the most important criteria by which investors evaluate a country's environment.

The official spokesperson for the Authority confirmed that it continues to monitor and apprehend anyone who misappropriates public funds or exploits their position to achieve their personal interests or to harm the public interest, and will hold them accountable even after their relationship with the position ends, since financial and administrative corruption crimes do not lapse with time, and that the Authority is proceeding with the application of what the system stipulates against violators without leniency.