Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, along with Deputy President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hilmi Karslı, Mansour Alotaibi – Director General of Passport Affairs for Hajj and Umrah at the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Turkey Fahad bin Assaad Abu Al-Nasr, and Remzi Bircan – Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services at the Presidency of Religious Affairs, participated in the opening ceremony of the “Mecca Road” project, which allows Hajj candidates to complete necessary procedures at Esenboğa Airport in order to enter Saudi Arabia.
Within the scope of the project, Hajj candidates can complete all their procedures in a specially designated area at Esenboğa Airport before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Thanks to the system set up at Esenboğa Airport, Hajj candidates will be able to proceed to their hotels in Saudi Arabia without having to undergo any procedures at the airports there.
Governor Şahin expressed gratitude towards Saudi Arabia for their services to Turkish Hajj candidates, pointing out the significant congestion at airports in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj period due to Muslims from all over the world arriving. He mentioned the difficulties and stress faced by people waiting at airports and the staff working there. With this service being provided, both Turkish Hajj candidates will be more comfortable, and the congestion at the airport will decrease.
Governor Şahin thanked the staff working on the project as well as Ambassador Abu Al-Nasr for their efforts and coordination. Alotaibi noted that thanks to the Mecca Road, the procedures for an entire Hajj group can be completed in 25 minutes and that the staff working on the project will stay in Ankara until the end of the Hajj season.
Alotaibi emphasized that all necessary procedures will be completed at Esenboğa Airport, expressing their honor in providing this service to Hajj candidates in Turkey. Deputy President Karslı thanked the officials of the Saudi Ministry of Interior for the project, highlighting the importance of this simplification for the Hajj candidates. He mentioned that the Hajj candidates will no longer have to wait at the airports in Saudi Arabia, and their luggage will be received at Esenboğa Airport and directly transported to the hotel in Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Abu Al-Nasr stated that this project is a great service for the Hajj candidates, expanding on the application that started in Istanbul last year and now includes Ankara. He explained that all customs, baggage, and passport procedures will be done at Esenboğa Airport, making it easier for the Hajj candidates. Abu Al-Nasr emphasized that this initiative is one of the visionary initiatives transforming the system of life and working for the comfort of the Hajj candidates, providing a significant leap in their convenience.
