Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs has been awarded the top honor at the prestigious 2025 Lebbeytum Awards, securing first place at the “Diamond” level in the Most Successful Hajj Organization category.

The ceremony, held in Mecca and organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, celebrated outstanding achievements in Hajj management among more than 100 participating countries.

The award recognizes Türkiye’s superior performance in pilgrim satisfaction, educational programming, logistics, and innovative service delivery during the 2025 Hajj season. This marks the third consecutive year that Türkiye has claimed the highest distinction in this category.

Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of Religious Affairs, accepted the award on behalf of Türkiye during a formal ceremony attended by delegations from dozens of countries. “This honor reflects the dedication of our entire team in ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for our pilgrims,” Erbaş stated, expressing gratitude to his staff and reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in future Hajj operations.

The Lebbeytum Awards, created to encourage best practices and innovation in Hajj organization, assess participant countries on a variety of criteria including logistical efficiency, pilgrim safety, educational outreach, and technological integration. Türkiye’s 2025 campaign impressed the judges with its thorough pre-Hajj training programs, real-time digital assistance via a mobile application, and strong coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure smooth operations in Mecca and Medina.

Following the award, Türkiye unveiled new plans to enhance its services for the 2026 Hajj. On Tuesday, June 10, Erbaş announced the expansion of the national “Hajj Education Program” to include virtual reality (VR) simulations of key rituals, aiming to better prepare first-time and elderly pilgrims. The elderly accounted for nearly 40% of the approximately 85,000 Turkish pilgrims in 2025.

Türkiye also earned praise for its environmental initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals. The country introduced biodegradable materials and optimized its transportation strategies to reduce emissions, setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious pilgrimage practices.

While the accomplishment was widely celebrated, some Turkish media outlets highlighted limited complaints from pilgrims regarding accommodation prices. In response, Erbaş pledged increased transparency and cost clarity in the 2026 season.

Türkiye’s success has also attracted international attention. Indonesia and Malaysia, which placed second and third respectively, expressed interest in adopting Türkiye’s model. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, lauded Türkiye’s “innovative and disciplined approach,” particularly its use of multilingual mobile apps and real-time GPS tracking for pilgrim groups.

Looking ahead, the Presidency of Religious Affairs plans to expand access for young pilgrims through subsidized travel programs and further strengthen health services. Notably, Türkiye reported zero deaths among its pilgrims in 2025, a rare feat attributed to comprehensive pre-departure medical screenings and on-site healthcare facilities.

Officials are also exploring artificial intelligence technologies to improve crowd management and safety during the pilgrimage, drawing on the logistical lessons learned from this year’s Hajj, which hosted over 1.8 million pilgrims worldwide.

Türkiye’s continued dominance at the Lebbeytum Awards solidifies its role as a global leader in Hajj organization. As preparations begin for 2026, the nation remains committed to offering a safe, organized, and spiritually rewarding pilgrimage for all its citizens. (ILKHA)