"We thank God for the great success of the season, and for the extensive media coverage of the efforts by Saudi Arabia to best serve pilgrims," the minister told journalists and media executives from different countries in the world.
According to the minister, Saudi Arabia opened its ports to receive pilgrims from every corner of the globe and the Kingdom provided the guests of Allah with many valuable free services.
He pointed out that this has silenced critics and forced them to drop any agenda to cash in on the event to derive political mileages.
"On behalf of all of you, please allow me to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz," he said.
He said hajj was a success because they paid special attention to the details of its preparations, directly supervised the implementation of the plans, and followed up on the condition.
Since the Ministry of Media holds the responsibility to transmit this great event to the world, it has launched 19 digital channels in six languages and published 1,000 news reports and features via the Center for Government Communication (CGC) that functions under the Ministry of Media.
"We also published 1,352 press statements issued by the Ministry," the minister said, adding that hajj rituals were broadcast live on New Media platforms.
Minister Awwad said the ministry set up seven media centres in Makkah, Jeddah and other areas.
On the occasion, he also thanked the members of Arab, Islamic and international media delegations for their contribution to the overall success of the media coverage of Hajj.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is - and will always remain - proud to be able to serve the two Holy Mosques and their guests, he said, adding that the government works tirelessly and steadfastly to ensure that the performance of Hajj becomes a lifetime experience for an individual.
The Kingdom hopes that with the determination and dedication of its people and by leveraging technology, it will be able to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030, he said, adding that one of those objectives is to enhance the efficiency of services provided to the guests of Allah, and their leadetship is tirelessly working to fulfill this aspiration.
Meanwhile, the minister who thanked the journalists and media executives said that they not just celebrated media persons who dedicated their time and energy to telling the truth and in the service of the Islamic nation, but they likewise celebrate the successful media coverage of Hajj.
"By successful coverage, I mean that you have shared the core messages of the pilgrimage to Makkah with the world. You have done so by highlighting the important elements of the pilgrimage," he said.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is - and will always remain - proud to be able to serve the two Holy Mosques and their guests, he said, adding that the government works tirelessly and steadfastly to ensure that the performance of Hajj becomes a lifetime experience for an individual.
The Kingdom hopes that with the determination and dedication of its people and by leveraging technology, it will be able to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030, he said.
"I would like to thank the members of Arab, Islamic and international media delegations for their contribution to the overall success of the media coverage of Hajj," he said.
Likewise, he thanked all those who helped to convey the real message and image of Hajj through social media and New Media.
Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
