Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) President Safi Arpaguş met with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah in Jeddah, where the two sides signed the 2027 Hajj Protocol.

Arpaguş travelled to Saudi Arabia with a delegation to discuss preparations for next year's Hajj pilgrimage, including services provided to Turkish pilgrims and arrangements for the organization of the annual religious gathering.

During the meeting, the officials reviewed the services available to Turkish Hajj pilgrims and discussed matters related to the organization of the pilgrimage. The protocol was subsequently signed by Arpaguş and Al-Rabiah.

Arpaguş also attended the 2026 Hajj Conference, organized by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Jeddah, and visited the accompanying exhibition.

Addressing the conference, he described the annual gathering and exhibition as important platforms for sharing experience, consultation, strengthening cooperation and improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims.

He said the standard of services achieved in organizing the Hajj had satisfied Turkish pilgrims and enabled them to perform their religious duties in peace and tranquillity.

Arpaguş expressed his gratitude to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as Al-Rabiah and officials involved in organizing the pilgrimage, for their efforts.

Emphasizing the broader significance of the pilgrimage, Arpaguş said Hajj was not merely an individual act of worship but also a powerful expression of monotheism, Muslim unity, solidarity and brotherhood.

"Hajj, which brings together Muslims from different geographies, languages and cultures around the same qibla, the same faith and the same consciousness of servitude, reminds us once again of our shared values and our responsibility of brotherhood," he said.

Referring to Prophet Muhammad's teachings comparing believers to the parts of a single body and the bricks of a building that support one another, Arpaguş stressed the importance of solidarity among Muslims.

He welcomed efforts to strengthen unity, cooperation and mutual support across the Islamic world and expressed hope that the conference and exhibition would contribute not only to improving Hajj services but also to reinforcing trust and cooperation among Muslim countries.

Arpaguş concluded by thanking those involved in organizing the event and praying that the gathering would bring beneficial outcomes for the Islamic world.

The Turkish delegation included Deputy President of Religious Affairs Fatih Mehmet Karaca, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services Hüseyin Demirhan, Interministerial Hajj and Umrah Board member Diyaeddin Şahin, Türkiye's Consul General in Jeddah Mustafa Ünal and Religious Services Attaché Ahmet Oğuz. (ILKHA)