May 26, 2025, Jeddah - The first groups of pilgrims, totaling 454 people, have arrived at the international airports of Jeddah and Medina (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). They were welcomed by the staff of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Jeddah, headed by Consul General Mr. Ruslan Kospanov, as well as representatives of the Hajj mission of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK).

According to the quota allocated by the Government of Saudi Arabia for Kazakhstan in 2025, it is expected that approximately 4,500 Kazakhstani citizens will be able to perform the pilgrimage. The main rites of the Hajj are scheduled to take place from June 4 to 9 this year.

Pilgrims from Kazakhstan are being transported by the airlines Air Astana (Kazakhstan), SCAT (Kazakhstan), Jazeera Airways (Kuwait), and FlyNas (Saudi Arabia). Until May 31 inclusive, aircrafts will transport Kazakhstani pilgrims from Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and Aktau to Jeddah and Medina. Return flights are scheduled between June 10 and 16.

During the pilgrimage period, the Consulate General is operating under a special regime. The reception and departure of Kazakhstani pilgrims are conducted according to a duty schedule involving diplomats and representatives of the Kazakhstani Hajj mission.

The tasks of the Kazakhstani diplomatic mission include coordination and interaction with local authorities during the stay of Kazakhstani citizens in the Kingdom, as well as ensuring their safety and timely return home. To this end, contacts have been established with Saudi governmental and aviation authorities responsible for the Hajj season, as well as with members of the Kazakhstani Hajj mission.

Upon arrival at the airport, diplomats from the Consulate General provide pilgrims with guidance on complying with the host country's laws, showing respect for local traditions and customs, and observing sanitary and hygiene standards to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as flu and meningitis.

In the central headquarters of the Kazakhstani Hajj mission in Makkah and Medina, stationary medical points are operating, where Kazakhstani doctors provide 24/7 medical assistance to pilgrims upon request.

According to Saudi authorities, the number of pilgrims performing Hajj this year may reach approximately from 2 to 2.3 million people. (For comparison, according to the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia, the number of pilgrims in 2024 was 1,833,000).

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-jeddah/press/news/details/1004659?lang=kk