Cairo: The assistant minister of interior for the administrative affairs sector and head of the Executive Authority of the Ministerial Hajj Committee announced that all preparations for organizing this year's lottery-based Hajj have been completed. He noted that the dispatch of pilgrims to the holy lands will begin next Monday, May 4, with flights heading to Madina, and on May 7 to Mecca.

According to State Information Service Egypt, in exclusive remarks on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the assistant minister explained that, in implementation of directives issued by Mahmoud Tawfik, a package of distinguished services has been prepared and will be offered for the first time to lottery pilgrims. These include special services for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as upgraded accommodation, transportation, baggage handling services, and an increased number of medical clinics. He stressed that all mission members are working to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.

He revealed that the total number of Egyptian pilgrims this year is about 24,525 from the lottery mission, around 12,000 from the solidarity mission, and 40,000 from the tourism mission, emphasizing the cooperation of officials from all three missions to ensure pilgrims perform their rituals with ease and comfort. Regarding the improvements introduced this year, the official stated that the accommodation system in Mecca and Madina has been upgraded.

The lottery Hajj mission successfully secured premium accommodations for pilgrims in the central areas of both cities, enabling them to perform the five daily prayers at the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque. As for Medina, the mission secured four premium hotels in the northern central area overlooking the Prophet's Mosque, allowing pilgrims to perform their prayers there.

On medical preparations, he said coordination has been made with the Ministry of Health to provide comprehensive medical care for pilgrims. The mission has arranged 15 clinics in pilgrims' hotels in Mecca and three in Medina, to be equipped with necessary medical devices and medications, in addition to a medical team from the Interior Ministry's Medical Services Sector accompanying the mission to serve elderly pilgrims at their residences.

Regarding religious guidance, he noted coordination with the Ministry of Awqaf to send a sufficient number of male and female preachers-22 male and 4 female-selected to accompany pilgrims throughout the Hajj. They will answer religious inquiries around the clock and organize daily seminars for men and women on a regular basis.