How Saudi Arabia’s high-speed railway allows Hajj pilgrims to travel in comfort and style
MAKKAH: For millions of Muslims worldwide, the pilgrimage to Makkah for Hajj used to be arduous. However, Saudi Arabia has established new transport infrastructure to ensure the smoothest possible journey and easier access to the holiest site in Islam. Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is an obligatory act for physically and financially-able Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. Historically, pilgrims endured weeks or even months of travel on caravans, crossing vast oceans and desertsOver the centuries, as civilizations, nations and empires rose and fell, the responsibility for protecting and serving pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah was passed down from one leader to the next. The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. (SPA) Today, the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues this tradition, making remarkable progress in the services provided to pilgrims, particularly in terms of technology and transport infrastructureA key part of this is th