Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim countries strongly condemned the appalling, degrading, and unacceptable actions of extremist Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against activists in the Gaza-bound flotilla while they were in Israeli detention. The foreign ministers include those of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye. The ministers stressed that Ben-Gvir’s deliberate public humiliation of detainees is a disgraceful assault on human dignity and a clear violation of Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. The ministers further deplored and condemned in the strongest…
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 80 new mining licenses during March 2026 as part of its efforts to develop the Kingdom’s mining sector and maximize its contribution to diversifying sources of income for the national economy. Ministry spokesperson Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah noted that the new mining licenses included 49 exploration licenses, 20 building materials quarry licenses, eight mining exploitation and small mine licenses, two reconnaissance licenses, and one surplus mineral ores license, according to the report of the ministry’s National Center for Industrial and Mining Information on mining indicators for March 2026. Al-Jarrah said the total number of…
MINA — The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday that all field and operational preparations for transporting pilgrims to the tent city of Mina have been completed, as the rituals of Hajj commence on Monday. Pilgrims have finalized their preparations to depart for Mina from their residences in Makkah to observe the Day of Tarwiyah on Monday, marking the beginning of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims will join more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims who have arrived in the Kingdom from across the globe for this year’s Hajj. Following the example of…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior’s electronic platform Absher carried out a total of 16,536,826 electronic transactions and services during April. The beneficiaries of these services were users across Absher Individuals and Absher Business. A total of 13,973,584 transactions were completed through Absher Individuals, and these include 3,609,072 document-viewing operations via the Digital Wallet feature, available to citizens, residents, and visitors through the Absher app. Absher Business recorded 2,563,242 transactions. Transactions related to the General Directorate of Public Security reached 3,417,847, including 3,307,760 services carried out by the General Department of Traffic. The General Directorate of Passports recorded 2,202,603 transactions,…
Under the directives of Governor of Madinah Region and Chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, Madinah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz reviewed health services provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season during a meeting with Director of the Ministry of Health branch in the region Dr. Sami Al-Ruhaili and Chief Executive Officer of the Madinah Health Cluster Abdulrahman Alharbi. The meeting covered hospital and health center services, operational plans for healthcare continuity during pilgrims’ dispatching to Makkah, and performance indicators for health and emergency services. The deputy governor directed the continuation of healthcare services for…
MINA — During every Hajj season, Saudi Arabia continues presenting an advanced global model in crowd management and serving millions of pilgrims, relying on advanced technological infrastructure and a modern organizational vision that has made the Hajj journey safer, easier, and more seamless. Among the most prominent initiatives reflecting this qualitative transformation is the Nusuk Card, which provides pilgrims with a smooth spiritual journey within an integrated digital system that contributes to organizing the journey from arrival until the completion of rituals. The card is one of the initiatives launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and contains the…
MAKKAH — The Ministry of Media concluded the third edition of the Hajj Media Hub, organized as part of the activities of the Unified Media Operations Center for Hajj. The four-day event, held in cooperation with the Grand Hajj Symposium at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center, achieved notable success in supporting media professionals and specialists. The hub attracted more than 13,500 media professionals and visitors from around the world, with more than 30 government, private, and nonprofit entities participating in the transformation exhibition through more than 1,500 interactive screens showcasing key development projects and services provided to pilgrims.…
The National Center for Environmental Compliance announced that it has analyzed more than 700 soil and water samples collected from geographical areas surrounding pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, with initial findings showing no concerning negative impacts affecting public safety. Inspection teams have been deployed to collect samples and analyze sites suspected of contamination identified through the monitoring of 48 satellite images. A mobile laboratory service is available this season for immediate on-site sample testing. The service is operated by strategic partner Marine Operations for Environmental Services (SAIL) and serves as a parallel support system in geographically challenging areas such as valleys and…
MINA — The Saudi Ministry of Health called on Hajj pilgrims to follow guidance on the optimal use of sun umbrellas. It stressed the importance of taking preventive behaviors to reduce health risks from direct sun exposure while moving among the holy sites. The ministry stressed that using an umbrella reduces the likelihood of heat exhaustion, sunstroke, and dehydration. It also protects against ultraviolet rays and can lower surrounding temperatures by approximately 10 degrees Celsius. Key guidelines include attaching the umbrella to a wrist strap, storing it properly, and not discarding it after performing rituals. Source: Saudi Gazette
MINA — The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) continues its operational activities and the delivery of its services and data in Mina in preparation for the Day of Tarwiyah, the first day of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj on Monday. Temperatures on the Day of Tarwiyah are expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius, while eight stations will monitor severe weather conditions. The NCM relies on an integrated system of advanced technologies and highly qualified Saudi personnel to provide relevant authorities with meteorological data and information on potential weather phenomena through regular hourly updates, in line with international best practices in…