Commenting on his recent meetings with Saudi Arabian Health Ministry officials in Mecca, Pir Hossein Kolivand said that during the talks the Saudi side expressed willingness to promote cooperation with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
“It was agreed that in an upcoming meeting with Saudi Health Minister (Abdullah al-Rabia) at the appropriate time, the issue of building hospital and employing medical staff would be discussed and pursued," he noted.
He also pointed to the mutual cooperation between the Iranian Red Crescent Society and Saudi Arabian Health Ministry to promote better health services for pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca.
Earlier on Tuesday, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi announced that the country is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to increase the number of Iranian nationals’ visits to Mecca for performing Umrah pilgrimage.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Ohadi said that he has held consultations with Saudi Arabian Hajj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar to increase the number of Iranians’ travels to Mecca to make Umrah (minor pilgrimage).
The Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims. Unlike the Hajj which is also known as the "major pilgrimage", it can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.