KUWAIT, Aug 13 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Fahad Al- Shula Tuesday commended this year's Hajj pilgrimage season as "unprecedentedly successful".
"This success has capped the efforts of the Saudi government to serve pilgrims and provide all potential to ensure this great success," Al-Shula, who doubles as Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, said in a statement.
He added that Saudi authorities had exerted great efforts to properly cater for pilgrims this year.
The Kuwaiti minister also spoke highly of Saudi hajj bodies for capitalizing on state-of-the-art technology to help pilgrims perform relevant rituals in an easy and smooth mode.
He further appreciated all Kuwaiti ministries and agencies concerned for having harnessed all energies to answer the needs of Kuwaiti pilgrims this year.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah boasted that this year's Hajj season has seen neither epidemics nor incidents, considering it a completely successful event.
According to Saudi authorities, the number of pilgrims this year hit 2,489,406 -- 1,855,027 from abroad and 634,379 from within Saudi Arabia. (end) nma.mt