Al-Dabaiba follows up with the head of the General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs on preparations for the Hajj season.
libyawire.org > News > Economy > Al-Dabaiba follows up with the head of the General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs on preparations for the Hajj season.
Tripoli, January 21, 2026 – The head of the Government of National Unity followed up today, Wednesday, with the head of the General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs and his deputies on the progress of the Authority’s work and the latest preparations for the Hajj season of 1447 AH. The meeting reviewed the status of registration and ongoing preparations from various organizational and technical aspects.
The head of the Authority presented a detailed overview of the latest registration updates, explaining that the total number of registrants for the Hajj lottery reached 1,513,818 pilgrims, including 864,011 males and 649,807 females. The total number registered via the web platform was 760,263, while 753,555 registered via the application, in addition to 89,361 cancellation requests.
The presentation clarified that the Authority was keen to select approved hotels in Makkah, in accordance with the requirements approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and in locations very close to the Grand Mosque. These included Hilton Conference Hotel, Address Hotel, and Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, in addition to providing premium accommodation in the central area near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
He stressed the importance of continuing to work according to the highest standards of organization and transparency, and ensuring the readiness of all arrangements related to registration, accommodation, catering, and transportation to provide the best services to pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals safely and easily.
He directed that all stages of preparations be closely monitored, with full compliance with requirements and ensuring no laxity in any organizational or service aspect. He emphasized that the success of the Hajj season is a top priority and reflects Libya’s image in providing the best services to pilgrims….
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, with a history dating back to the 7th century BC when it was founded by the Phoenicians. It later became a significant part of the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire, with its historic medina reflecting centuries of diverse cultural influences. Today, it serves as the country’s major political, economic, and cultural center.
Government of National Unity
The Government of National Unity (GNU) is a term most notably applied to the post-apartheid coalition government in South Africa, formed in 1994 following the country’s first multiracial elections. Led by President Nelson Mandela, it brought together the African National Congress, the National Party, and the Inkatha Freedom Party to oversee the transition from minority rule to a multiracial democracy.
General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs
The General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs is a Saudi government body responsible for organizing and managing the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the year-round Umrah visits to Mecca and Medina. It was established to oversee the logistics, services, and regulations for the millions of pilgrims, with its modern form evolving from earlier administrative committees to ensure safety and efficiency.
Hajj
The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime if physically and financially able. Its rites trace back to the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and were later re-established by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, following a tradition believed to be thousands of years old.
Makkah
Makkah, also spelled Mecca, is the holiest city in Islam, located in present-day Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the most sacred shrine in Islam, which Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Every year, millions of Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, a religious duty that dates back to the 7th century.
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the government body responsible for organizing and managing the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the year-round Umrah visits to Mecca and Medina. It was established in 1953, originally as the Ministry of Pilgrimage and Endowments, to centralize and improve the services and logistics for the millions of pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom each year. Its work encompasses everything from visa issuance and transportation to health services and crowd management.
Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Mecca or Masjid al-Haram, is the largest mosque in the world and the holiest site in Islam. Its history dates back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and has been continuously expanded over centuries to accommodate millions of pilgrims who visit for the Hajj and Umrah. The mosque’s central feature is the Kaaba, the cubic structure towards which Muslims worldwide pray.
Hilton Conference Hotel
The Hilton Conference Hotel is a modern hospitality and event venue, part of the global Hilton Hotels & Resorts chain, known for providing facilities for business meetings, conferences, and accommodations. While individual locations have their own opening dates, these hotels are typically established in major cities or business districts to serve the corporate and tourism markets.
Address Hotel
The Address Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Downtown Dubai, known for its proximity to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. It first opened in 2008 and gained international attention in 2015 when a significant fire occurred in one of its towers, though it was later refurbished and reopened.
Hilton DoubleTree Hotel
The Hilton DoubleTree Hotel is a global chain of upscale hotels known for welcoming guests with warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. The brand originated in 1969 with the first DoubleTree Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was later acquired by Hilton Worldwide in 1999, expanding it into an international hospitality brand.
Prophet’s Mosque
The Prophet’s Mosque, located in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, originally built by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE after his migration from Mecca. It has been significantly expanded and renovated numerous times over the centuries, and it houses his final resting place, making it the second holiest site in Islam.
Madinah
Madinah, also known as Medina, is a city in western Saudi Arabia revered as the second holiest city in Islam. It is historically significant as the site where the Prophet Muhammad migrated to in 622 CE (the Hijrah), establishing it as the first capital of the Islamic community and the location of his tomb at the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later undergoing significant political changes throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Its cultural landscape is notably marked by well-preserved Roman ruins, such as those at Leptis Magna, and its vast Saharan desert.
