Saudi Hajj Minister visits Kenya, signals improved services for Pilgrims

The Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, is in the country for a two-day visit aimed at enhancing Hajj and Umrah services for Kenyan pilgrims and strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Al-Rabiah is accompanied by Dr. Al Hassan bin Yahya Al-Manakrah, Deputy Minister for International Relations, and Dr. Abdoulmukhsin Al Salam, Deputy Minister for Umrah. The visit, which is the first of its kind, comes at the invitation of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and has featured high-level engagements with government officials, religious leaders, and Muslim organisations, reaffirming the strong ties between the two nations.

On Tuesday, January 20, the Minister paid a courtesy call on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, where discussions focused on deepening cooperation, particularly in the healthcare sector. The Cabinet Secretary commended Dr. Al-Rabiah for his transformative leadership in digitising Saudi Arabia’s health system during his tenure as Minister of Health—an initiative that is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030.

“I sought his insights on how Kenya can adopt similar digital health strategies through the Digital Health Agency to improve service delivery, efficiency, and access, and we explored potential partnerships to advance this agenda,” CS Duale said.

The SUPKEM chairman Hassan ole Naado presents a plaque to the visiting minister Dr Tawfiq al Rabiah. Looking on is the secretary general Abdullahi Salat

The meeting, also attended by SUPKEM Chairman Hassan Ole Naado and Saudi Ambassador to Kenya Khalid Al Salman, addressed Hajj and Umrah facilitation, with a focus on strengthening coordination to ensure a more efficient, safe, and dignified experience for the thousands of Kenyan pilgrims who travel annually.

“We agreed to enhance coordination to guarantee a more efficient, safe, and dignified experience, while also strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties between our two countries,” the Cabinet Secretary added.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, led by Sora Badu Katelo, Director for the Middle East, were also present at the meeting.

In a separate bilateral engagement with SUPKEM, discussions centred on improving the management and administration of Hajj and Umrah activities to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims. The two sides also explored partnerships to address key challenges faced by pilgrims, particularly in the areas of health and safety.

“This engagement marks a vital step towards strengthening our collaboration with Saudi authorities to better serve the needs of our community. We are optimistic that this partnership will significantly enhance the administration of Hajj and Umrah for Kenyan Muslims,” said SUPKEM Chairman Hassan Ole Naado.

During his visit, Dr. Al-Rabiah also toured Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, where he was received by the mosque’s leadership, including Deputy Chairman Abdullatif Essajee, Secretary General AbdulBari Hamid, and Imam Sheikh Jamaludin Osman. The leaders guided the Minister on an extensive tour of the mosque and briefed him on its central role in religious, social, and humanitarian activities for Muslims in Kenya and the wider region.

Secretary general Abdul Bary Hamid and the deputy chairman Abdullatif Essajee presents a copy of the Friday Bulletin, the Jamia mosque flagship news publication, to Dr Tawfiq Fawzan al Rabiah

“We are deeply honoured to host you and to share the wide range of activities undertaken by Jamia Mosque, including religious services, Islamic education, community development, youth programmes, and humanitarian support for the less fortunate,” said Deputy Chairman Essajee.

He further highlighted the strong historical ties between Jamia Mosque Nairobi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the relationship is founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to serving the Muslim ummah.

In response, Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed his appreciation for the work being carried out by Jamia Mosque, commending its leadership for integrating spiritual guidance with social responsibility. He underscored the importance of strong grassroots institutions in enhancing community welfare and fostering collaboration between faith-based institutions and international partners.

The Minister’s visit to Jamia Mosque follows another notable visit in August 2024 by the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, who delivered a Friday sermon highlighting Islamic values and promoting community security and peaceful coexistence.