The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stepped up efforts to make pilgrims aware of their rights and duties, publishing a Legal Awareness Guide in 14 languages and rolling out an awareness campaign called Know Your Rights. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry says the aim is to protect pilgrims' rights, raise the quality of services, and improve the overall experience of guests of God.
The move comes as the 1448 AH Umrah season gathers pace and preparations begin for Hajj 2027. It reflects a broader shift toward clearer, better-documented relationships between pilgrims and the companies that serve them.
What the Know Your Rights programme covers
According to the ministry, the Know Your Rights programme is designed to raise awareness of rights and duties and to develop guides and documents covering the different services a pilgrim receives during the journey. These include rights related to accommodation, transport, catering and food, and service quality.
The programme also addresses a service provider's commitment to the services that were contracted, along with the mechanisms for submitting and resolving complaints. The ministry says it monitors service providers' compliance with approved rights and standards, which it describes as strengthening the clarity of the relationship between a pilgrim and a service provider.
A legal guide in 14 languages
As part of the campaign, the ministry has made a Legal Awareness Guide available on its website in 14 languages. According to the ministry, the guide is intended to make it easier for pilgrims and Umrah performers to access information about their rights and duties, and the regulations and instructions relevant to their journey.
The ministry says it continues to promote awareness of rights across its various digital platforms, through posts and awareness content in multiple languages. The content covers rights, duties and guidance connected to the services provided, which the ministry says widens the reach of accurate information to pilgrims from around the world.
Why it matters for pilgrims
For millions of pilgrims who travel through third-party operators, knowing what has been paid for and promised is a practical safeguard. Housing standards, transport arrangements and meal provision are common points of confusion and dispute, particularly for first-time pilgrims travelling far from home.
The ministry frames the effort as part of an integrated approach to improving the pilgrim experience, one that combines raising awareness of rights, monitoring pilgrims' experiences and needs, and strengthening the commitment of service providers.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Before travelling, pilgrims are advised to read the Legal Awareness Guide in their own language on the ministry's official website, and to keep a copy of their package contract that lists the accommodation, transport and meals they have paid for. Compare what is delivered on the ground against what was promised, and note any gaps. If a service falls short of what was contracted, use the official complaint channels rather than informal arrangements, and keep records such as booking references and receipts. Relying on official ministry information, rather than unofficial agents or social media, remains the safest way to confirm rights and obligations for the journey.