One of the examples of Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is Fahd al-Hamli, a Saudi Arabian citizen who is hosting hundreds of Hajj pilgrims from Russia in his home for the third year in a row, according to a report by the country’s state-run broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya

Fahd al-Hamli welcomes hundreds of Russian pilgrims on his farm

Fahd al-Hamli will welcome up to 1,300 Russian pilgrims on his farm near Riyadh.

He will receive the guests, present them with gifts and then introduce them to Saudi culture, the report said. “We show them the Saudi culture by preparing coffee and dates,” Hamli said.

He will also screen an introductory film about Hajj, translated into Russian.

Saudi hospitality rooted in Islamic teachings and culture

Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is not an isolated case, but rather a reflection of the Islamic teachings and the Saudi culture that honour and respect the guests of God.

According to Muslim tradition, Hajj pilgrims are “guests of God”, meaning they must be provided with accommodation, food and drink even if they cannot afford it2.

This tradition dates back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who used to host pilgrims in his mosque in Madinah and instruct his companions to do the same.

Saudi hospitality extends to all pilgrims regardless of nationality

Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is part of a wider phenomenon of Saudi hospitality for all pilgrims regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or language.

Across Mecca, young men distribute free meals consisting of rice, chicken or meat to pilgrims who line up in long queues. Faisal al-Husseini, a Pakistani businessman living in Mecca, has been distributing hot meals every day for weeks. “It is a great honour to serve God’s guests,” he said, handing food in a blue plastic bag to a pilgrim.

As temperatures exceed 42 degrees celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit), young men distribute bottles of frozen water to help pilgrims survive the heat. “We buy water and cool it well, then we start distributing it once or twice a day after prayers,” said Mecca resident Hamza Taher.

Saudi hospitality supported by government initiatives and investments

Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is also supported by various government initiatives and investments that aim to facilitate and improve the experience of Hajj and Umrah for all visitors.

In January, Saudi Arabia announced that there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims who can attend the Hajj in 2023, following three years of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic1.

However, many prospective pilgrims from western countries have struggled to book trips to perform Hajj following an overhaul of the booking system by authorities last year.

To address this issue, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that work is under way to raise the capacity of the hospitality sector in Makkah and Madinah to meet the growing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors3.

He also said that the ministry is working on developing new tourism products and services that cater to the needs and preferences of different segments of visitors, including Russian pilgrims.

The ministry has also launched a programme called “Haj Health Adviser” that provides medical advice and guidance to pilgrims through the 937 Service Center and the ministry’s Twitter account @saudimoh.

Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is a manifestation of the Islamic values and the Saudi culture that honour and respect the guests of God. It is also a result of the efforts and investments made by the government and the private sector to enhance and enrich the experience of Hajj and Umrah for all visitors. Saudi hospitality for Russian pilgrims is a tradition that will continue to flourish as long as there are people who seek to perform one of the pillars of Islam in the holy land.