Head of Iranian Hajj Pilgrims: Continuous Evaluation of Service to Pilgrims in Land of Revelation Is A Dynamic Factor

According to Hajj Information Base, Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab, the representative of the Supreme Leader for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and the head of Iranian pilgrims, in a conversation with reporters in Medina, said that the Hajj operation is a national and transnational work.

He said: "The satisfaction that exists among pilgrims, thank God, is the product of the Supreme Leader's instructions and concerns about providing the best possible service to pilgrims and the cooperation of our dear pilgrims in our country, and the synergies and cooperation of various organizations, institutions, ministries and organs of our country."

Referring to the various sectors that work together to ensure that the Hajj operation is carried out well, he noted: "The role of workers in factories and industrial and agricultural units, who are active in providing needs and nutrition, also contributes to this success."

Regarding the transnational dimension of the Hajj operation, the head of the Iranian Hajj delegation also said that the host country tries to ensure that pilgrims are comfortable and prosperous throughout the year; for example, the good rail transportation that has been provided for pilgrims is an example of their efforts to improve the conditions for pilgrims.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab emphasized that "we should not be satisfied with this satisfaction and that the pilgrim's right is definitely more than this. Currently, all stakeholders have made efforts to improve the quality of service to pilgrims within their capabilities, considering the oppressive sanctions, but we always believe that the situation must be improved through pathology and initiative.

Using the expression that Iranians are the children of Salman Farsi, who led Muslims to victory in the Battle of the Trench with his initiative, he continued: Iranians believe in initiative and these innovations and initiatives must always exist, especially in the Hajj operation.

Referring to some of the restrictions that sanctions have created in the way of serving pilgrims, including issues related to air transportation, health and treatment, the head of the Iranian Hajj Commission said that although sanctions have created bottlenecks in some areas, the service providers will not stop trying to provide perfect services to pilgrims.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab also responded to the question that "the necessity of continuous pathology and continuous innovations has been one of your constant emphases to those responsible for organizing the Hajj. Will these pathologies continue with this year's operations?"

He said: "Certainly, every dynamic activity requires continuous pathology; this year, several new programs were implemented in the Hajj operations that were unprecedented; several innovations were also made last year. Therefore, we must also pathology these new programs so that, if possible, they can be carried out in a more favorable manner next year."

He emphasized: "The work that is currently being done is the result of divine grace and the experiences of the past, especially those experienced after the Islamic Revolution. Therefore, today's good achievements are the result of the pathologies, experiences, assessments of the past, and correct processes."

The representative of the Supreme Leader for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs, regarding the reason for his continuous and long-term presence in Medina and Mecca to monitor the field process of serving pilgrims to the Holy House of Allah and the Prophet's Shrine, said: "Since the time Iranian pilgrims visit the Land of Revelation, the wise leader of our country has been concerned about serving the pilgrims as best as possible; therefore, we, as servants of the pilgrims, must be with them from the first days to the end; not just manage them remotely."

Stating that the presence of a servant next to a pilgrim gives him peace and encouragement, Hojjat al-Islam Navvab referred to his presence in the Land of Revelation during the months of Muharram 1403 and 1402 and said that when pilgrims saw this presence, they felt more at ease because they knew that if a problem arose, it could be resolved more quickly with the presence of officials on the ground.

In another part of his speech, in response to a question about evaluating the quality of services provided by the host country for Hajj, he referred to the services that various governments ruling this land have provided to pilgrims of the Holy House throughout history and said: These efforts to improve the service infrastructure have always existed, and currently, the officials of this country have also made efforts and activities in this field.

Referring to the double boom in spirituality and travel to pilgrimage sites and the Land of Revelation after the Islamic Revolution, the head of Iranian pilgrims said: "After the Islamic Revolution, the movement towards spirituality flourished not only in this country but also throughout the Islamic world. Due to this increased demand for participation in the Hajj, quotas for volunteers from countries were initiated, and the host government's plans to expand services also increased. For this reason, the events that took place after the Islamic Revolution in the Land of Revelation or the Arbaeen season and the pilgrimage are very impressive and unprecedented compared to before."