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Amine Ayoub
Middle East Forum Fellow based in Morocco

How Saudi Arabia controls one of the Pillars of Islam

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) in Jeddah on March 20, 2024. Secretary of State Blinken, who landed in Jeddah earlier on March 20 on the first leg of a regional tour that was extended to include Israel, met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan before holding talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Jeddah Via AFP

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, an essential act of worship that every capable Muslim is obligated to perform at least once in their lifetime. It is a journey of immense spiritual significance, bringing together millions of Muslims from around the world in a display of unity, devotion, and equality before God. However, the administration and control of this sacred rite have long been a point of contention, particularly regarding the role of Saudi Arabia. As the custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia wields significant influence over the Hajj, a power that has drawn criticism from other Muslim nations and communities for its monopolistic practices, financial exploitation, and perceived mismanagement, particularly in light of recent tragedies.

Saudi Arabia’s control over the Hajj stems from its geographical and political position as the host of Mecca and Medina. The kingdom has historically justified its exclusive administration of the pilgrimage by citing its responsibility to safeguard these sacred sites. However, this monopoly has raised questions about fairness and equity, as it centralizes decision-making in one nation’s hands, leaving little room for input from the broader Muslim world.

Critics argue that this arrangement disregards the collective ownership Muslims feel toward the Hajj. The pilgrimage belongs to the global ummah, not to any single nation. Yet, Saudi Arabia’s control extends to critical aspects of the Hajj, including visa quotas, infrastructure development, and logistical arrangements. While the kingdom claims to act in the best interests of pilgrims, many Muslims feel excluded from meaningful participation in decisions about an act of worship that is supposed to symbolize unity.

Hajj is not just a religious obligation; it is also a massive financial enterprise. Each year, Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars from the pilgrimage, making it a cornerstone of the kingdom’s non-oil revenue. Pilgrims pay exorbitant fees for visas, accommodation, transportation, and other services, with prices often rising steeply year after year. For many Muslims, especially those from economically disadvantaged regions, the cost of performing Hajj has become prohibitively expensive, transforming a spiritual duty into a financial burden.

The commercialization of Hajj has drawn widespread criticism. Many argue that the kingdom’s focus on profits undermines the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage. Luxury hotels, high-end shopping malls, and VIP packages for wealthy pilgrims starkly contrast with the egalitarian principles that Hajj is meant to embody. Instead of fostering unity and humility, these developments risk creating a two-tier system where wealthier pilgrims enjoy privileges while poorer ones struggle with overcrowded facilities and inadequate services.

Saudi Arabia’s administration of Hajj has also faced scrutiny due to recurring safety issues and deadly incidents. The 2015 Mina stampede, which claimed the lives of over 2,400 pilgrims according to independent estimates, remains one of the deadliest tragedies in Hajj history. While Saudi authorities reported a lower death toll, the lack of transparency surrounding the incident and the subsequent investigation fueled criticism of the kingdom’s handling of the crisis.

More recently, in 2023, dozens of pilgrims lost their lives due to heatstroke and exhaustion, exacerbated by inadequate facilities and emergency response measures. These tragedies highlight systemic flaws in crowd management, infrastructure, and preparedness. Critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s prioritization of profit and prestige over safety and welfare is to blame. The kingdom’s reluctance to involve international experts or consult other Muslim nations in addressing these issues further undermines trust in its ability to manage the Hajj effectively.

The growing dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia’s control over the Hajj has led to calls for a more inclusive and collective management model. Many Muslims believe that the administration of Hajj should involve representatives from across the Muslim world, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the pilgrimage reflects the diversity of the global ummah.

Such a model could take the form of an international body, perhaps under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This body could oversee key aspects of the Hajj, including safety protocols, crowd management, and equitable distribution of resources. By decentralizing control, this approach would address concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability while ensuring that the pilgrimage remains a unifying and spiritually enriching experience for all Muslims.

Reforming the management of Hajj is no small task, given the political, logistical, and religious complexities involved. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to relinquish its control easily, given the financial and geopolitical stakes. However, the kingdom must recognize that its current approach is unsustainable. The rising costs, recurring tragedies, and growing dissatisfaction among Muslims worldwide risk alienating the very people the Hajj is meant to serve.

A collaborative approach that involves the broader Muslim community would not only enhance the safety and accessibility of the pilgrimage but also reaffirm its spiritual and egalitarian principles. By working together, Muslim nations can ensure that the Hajj remains a symbol of unity, humility, and devotion—values that transcend national borders and financial interests.

About the Author
Amine Ayoub, a writing fellow with the Middle East Forum, is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco.
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