At the first meeting of the Planning and Coordination Council of Supreme Leader Hajj Mission and Hajj organization after the hajj 1404:
Unprecedented reduction in departure flight delays

According to the Hajj Information base, this meeting was held under the chairmanship of Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs Hojjat al-lslam Seyyed Abdolfattah Navvab The performance of various units in Hajj and the status of future Umrah operations were reviewed and announced that considering the country’s circumstances, the Umrah operation is scheduled to begin on the 1st of Shahrivar. At the meeting, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization Mr. Alireza Bayat described this year’s Hajj operation as exceeding expectations and emphasized that immediately upon returning to the country, planning for the next Umrah and Arbaeen pilgrimage began to ensure high quality services for pilgrims. Deputy of Hajj and pilgrimage organization in Hajj and Umrah affairs presented a detailed report on the Hajj 1404 process, describing transportation of pilgrims to the land of revelation as an exceptional phase, marked by a rare reduction in flight delays. Mr. Akbar Rezaei noted that during the return phase, pilgrims were first transported by air to the flight stations, then by land through our country's borders with Iraq, and finally by air to Mashhad airport, where they entered the Islamic homeland. He added that over 22,000 pilgrims used air services, while the rest returned by land. Mr. Rezari also highlighted the use of dozens hotels in Karbala and Najaf, more than 1,600 buses at the Mehran and Shalamcheh borders, and 155 cargo trailers to serve pilgrims returning by land. Describing the transport of pilgrims’ luggage as a massive operation, deputy for Management Development and Resources Mr. Hamidreza Mohammadi stated that at the Mehran border alone, 130,000 suitcases were stored and by the efforts of three work shifts and 130 trucks and small lorries, were delivered to pilgrims’ home provinces within four days. Referring to this year’s Hajj experience and the annual increase in Hajj costs, Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage urged officials to study and propose various packages for pilgrims and to document their experiences. Head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization also said a dedicated team would be formed to document narratives, identify challenges, and propose innovative ideas. The session continued with a report from Mr. Nasrollah Farahmand, CEO of the Saadat Umrah Institute on the start of Umrah operations from the 1st of Shahrivar, aiming to send over 400,000 Umrah pilgrims from 17 flight stations. He also mentioned the possibility of increasing the number of stations. He added that compensation for flight delays has been paid to 25,277 Umrah pilgrims, totaling 154 billion toman and refunds for unused train services during Umrah operations will begin next week for tens of thousands of pilgrims. Emphasizing the importance of proper public information in such matters, Supreme Leader’s representative in hajj and pilgrimage affairs noted the readiness of Supreme Leader Mission to reduce mandatory costs. He also stressed that various methods for dispatching cultural servants are being considered, with the dignity and proper conduct of Umrah pilgrims being paramount. During this meeting, Hojjat al-Islam Sayed Hossein Rokn al-Dini, cultural deputy of Supreme Leader Mission and Mr. Hossein Esmaili director of Supervision and Inspection of the Mission, also presented separate reports on the status of sending trainee clerics to the Land of Revelation and the performance of volunteer forces in assisting the Supervision and Inspection Unit. In his final conclusion, Hojjat al-Islam Navvsb referred to the cooperation of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj in Hajj 1404 and said: the comprehensive map intended by the host country in various fields of Hajj should be translated and made available to various units.