Author: Editorial Team
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the success of this year’s Hajj season 1447 AH. In a congratulatory cable, Sultan Haitham expressed his appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Kingdom’s government to serve pilgrims, praising the tangible development witnessed annually during the Hajj season through the use of the latest technologies and the mobilization of all resources to enable pilgrims to perform the rituals with ease, tranquility,…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, represented by the Holy Makkah Municipality, has announced the successful execution of its operational plan for the 2026 Hajj season. The plan was undertaken by a specialized workforce of over 22,000 personnel and supported by 3,000 pieces of equipment and machinery operating around the clock across Makkah and the holy sites. Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al Rasasimah said that specialized teams conducted over 38,000 inspection visits to catering kitchens and food establishments in Makkah and the holy sites, testing more than 5,000 food samples through field and fixed laboratories. Zero cases of food…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a major urban cooling project in Riyadh aimed at reducing temperatures on roads, walls and other urban surfaces by up to 15 degrees Celsius, according to a report by Al Eqtisadiah. The project, expected to begin implementation next year, is designed to address the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon that causes cities to experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to dense infrastructure and heat-absorbing materials. According to sources cited by Al Eqtisadiah, the initiative aims to reduce surface temperatures by between 8°C and 15°C. The project is still awaiting…
Doctors in the UAE are urging motorists with diabetes to never ignore signs of low blood sugar while driving, warning that even mild episodes can affect concentration, reaction time and decision-making behind the wheel. The warning comes after Abu Dhabi Police recently advised drivers, particularly those with diabetes, against getting behind the wheel during episodes of low blood sugar, known medically as hypoglycaemia, highlighting the risks it poses to road safety. Doctors explained that the brain is among the first organs affected when blood sugar levels fall below normal, as it relies heavily on glucose for energy. Stay up to…
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the success of this year’s Hajj season 1447 AH. In a congratulatory cable, Sultan Haitham expressed his appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Kingdom’s government to serve pilgrims, praising the tangible development witnessed annually during the Hajj season through the use of the latest technologies and the mobilization of all resources to enable pilgrims to perform the rituals with ease, tranquility,…
RIYADH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah presented the document outlining the initial arrangements for Hajj affairs offices in preparation for the 2027 Hajj season. Speaking at the annual closing ceremony organized by the ministry in Makkah, the minister announced a series of new initiatives, including the introduction of a comprehensive package encompassing services at the holy sites, as well as accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, with transportation and catering services made mandatory throughout the pilgrims’ stay. Al-Rabiah also highlighted enhancements to the Hajj packages, including the cancellation of Package “D” and the restructuring of the packages…
SINGAPORE — Defense ministers from the UK, Australia and the US on Saturday announced a joint partnership to develop and deploy “cutting-edge” underwater drone technologies as part of a push to boost maritime security. The announcement, which came during a security conference in Singapore, is part of a trilateral military alliance between the nations known as Aukus. The alliance began in 2021 and is intended to offer deeper integration of defence-related technology and science as well as increased information sharing. The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project’s total cost was…
The Makkah Region branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has started distributing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ gift of the Holy Quran within the departure halls of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, ensuring international pilgrims receive their copies before boarding return flights. The campaign features a total allocation of 1.9 million copies produced by the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Madinah. Available in more than 80 languages, these translated volumes allow returning pilgrims to study the text in their native tongues. The ministry confirmed that distribution will continue around the clock…
MAKKAH — The Ministry of Health announced the successful conclusion of its health operations for the 2026 Hajj season, confirming that no epidemic outbreaks or public health threats were recorded among pilgrims. According to the ministry, medical teams provided more than 2.5 million health services to pilgrims from the start of the season until Dhul Hijjah 12, corresponding to May 29. The ministry data showed that 114,889 individuals benefited from health centers and urgent-care facilities, while emergency departments treated 58,462 cases and outpatient clinics received 29,846 patients. Additionally, 8,342 patients were admitted to hospitals, and specialized teams performed 410 surgical…
MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced the completion of Mashair Metro operations for the 2026 Hajj season with transporting more than 1.9 million pilgrims between its nine stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. SAR said the metro operated 1,800 trips throughout the Hajj days, reflecting high operational efficiency and its capacity to serve pilgrims in accordance with the highest standards of safety and service quality. The company explained that operations continued for seven days, beginning on Dhul Hijjah 7, corresponding to May 24, and concluding after the completion of pilgrim movements at the end of the Days of Tashreeq…