HIBAPRESS
The first group of Moroccan pilgrims departed today, Monday, to the holy lands to perform the Hajj rituals for the Hajj season of 1447 AH.
Before their departure from Rabat-Salé Airport, they listened to the Royal message addressed by the Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, to the Moroccan pilgrims on the occasion of the departure of the first group to the holy lands, which was read by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq. In this Royal message, His Majesty the King urged the Moroccan pilgrims to be ambassadors for their country in preserving the civilizational and enlightened image of the Kingdom. The Commander of the Faithful said, "As much as you must represent the ideal values of Islam in righteousness, good treatment, solidarity, and sincere devotion to God, the Lord of the worlds, in this great season, you must also represent your country, Morocco, and embody its ancient civilization, for which our ancestors were famous throughout history in unity, cohesion, and adherence to religious and national sanctities, based on moderation and balance, and doctrinal unity." The Commander of the Faithful added that performing the Hajj, "with what it means of performing rituals, standing in the holy sites, and moving between the holy places, requires knowledge of the pillars, obligations, and Sunnahs, as it also requires you to respect the arrangements and directives set by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in its keenness to provide the conditions for your comfort in travel, and enabling you to perform your rituals optimally thanks to what it has provided for your groups in the holy lands of multiple specialized frameworks, accompanying you from your departure from the homeland and to your return, from female and male jurists, mentors and guides, doctors and nurses caring for your health, and administrators working around the clock to provide the necessary services needed by our pilgrims at all times." His Majesty the King also reminded the Moroccan pilgrims in this message of what performing the Hajj in those holy lands requires of adherence to and commitment to the organizational measures taken by the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, Mr. Toufiq stated that the total number of outbound flights for the Hajj this season is 78 flights, explaining that the first flight took off today, Monday, and the last will be on May 21, 2026, while the first return flight from the holy lands will begin on May 31 and end on June 18, 2026. Mr. Toufiq highlighted, in a press statement, that 69 flights out of the total outbound flights will go directly to Medina. Regarding improving the conditions related to the performance of the Hajj rituals this season, the Minister touched upon improving the accommodation conditions of the pilgrims in the holy lands, improving cleaning and security services, in addition to improving food services. Mr. Toufiq also addressed providing pilgrims with a (Nusuk) card that includes all information about the pilgrims, explaining that the electronic code on this card allows pilgrims to access the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the holy sites during the Hajj days. In a related context, the "Makkah Route Initiative" was launched today at Rabat – Salé Airport, which allows for the smooth transport of pilgrims' luggage from the moment of departure until their arrival at their place of residence without the need to receive it upon arrival. In this context, the Minister pointed out that the "Makkah Route Initiative" was previously in Casablanca and is now also in Rabat, and all procedures are carried out for Moroccan pilgrims in their homeland.
