The Mashair train started operating in the early hours of Friday carrying 360,000 pilgrims to Arafat from Mina and back again.

Transport logistics has been one of the major challenges for the Saudi government during Haj, but the multibillion-riyal Mashair train has made the process much easier.

The train started operating in the early hours of Friday carrying 360,000 pilgrims to Arafat from Mina and back again. The train transported local, South and East Asian, and Gulf Cooperation Council pilgrims to Arafat. There the pilgrims prayed Dhuhr and Asr at Nimrah Mosque. The train will continue to operate until 10 a.m. Sunday.

Abdul Rahman Shahwan, spokesman for the train operator, said everything went according to plan. He said government officials worked closely with Haj operators to ensure that pilgrims arrived at the stations on time and traveled safely.

He said many volunteers provided assistance to ensure the process went smoothly. Pilgrims were issued tickets in advance to save time. Government officials were deployed at the stations to ensure that pilgrims had valid tickets, ease congestion, and help the sick and elderly.

 
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