Author: Editorial Team
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…
The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah enhanced its cultural presence throughout May by hosting a diverse program of film screenings, cultural dialogues, family workshops, and educational experiences designed to present the Red Sea’s maritime heritage in creative, contemporary ways that foster community engagement. The museum’s programming explored urban transformations alongside the social and cultural dimensions of Historic Jeddah, interpreting heritage as a living element within the modern cultural landscape. To celebrate International Museum Day, the venue hosted open activities across various age groups, offering a sensory learning environment that strengthened public connection to the history of the region. The initiatives highlighted…
WASHINGTON — The United States signaled on Saturday it was “more than capable” of resuming the war with Iran if necessary, as the fate of a potential deal between Washington and Tehran remains elusive. “We are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said speaking at a major defense summit in Singapore on Saturday. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) echoed this stance on X, claiming US forces “remain present and vigilant across the region”. US…
BANGKOK — Four more miners who were trapped in a cave in Laos for more than a week were freed on Saturday, a day after another man was rescued, Thai rescuers said. The five men are among seven villagers who entered the narrow tunnels in search of gold but were prevented from leaving when flash floods hit the remote mountain area of central Xaysomboun province on May 20. The rescuers were still trying to locate two men deeper in the cave. The cave system, which extends deep underground, is also extremely narrow, with some chambers measuring only about 50cm (20in)…
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh met today in Mina with academic, religious, and intellectual figures from Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and India hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. Al Alsheikh emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen communication with cultural and religious leaders across the Islamic world, highlighting the extensive resources mobilized to ensure a safe and tranquil Hajj. The international guests expressed their gratitude to the Saudi leadership for the exceptional care and service and commended the seamless integration of facilities provided to them, noting the…
RIYADH — Saudi security authorities arrested a total of 8,090 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between May 21 and May 27, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 4,266 violators of the Residency Law, 2,653 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,171 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 7,466 illegal residents were deported while 14,484 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 572…
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman conveyed the condolences of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to the family members of the late former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. During a meeting with the family in Riyadh on Saturday, Prince Khalid expressed his deepest condolences to the deceased’s family and to the Republic of Yemen, its leadership, and people. The minister praised the late president’s leadership and his dedication to the security, stability, development, and prosperity of Yemen. Prince Khalid prayed to God Almighty to…
Pilgrims flocked to the Grand Mosque today to perform the Farewell Tawaf, concluding their Hajj rituals and completing the fifth pillar of Islam. The Grand Mosque and its courtyards experienced a highly structured, smooth flow of pedestrian traffic, driven by advanced crowd management models and mapped transit routes inside the Mataf, the Sa’i area, and primary corridors. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Farewell Tawaf serves as the definitive final ritual before leaving Makkah. Upon its completion, waves of international pilgrims began departing for their home countries, marking the successful close of a peaceful, secure, and coordinated…
JEDDAH — The Passports Department at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has swung into action in processing the departure procedures for the outbound flights of pilgrims returning home after completing their Hajj rituals. The General Directorate of Passports confirmed its peak operational readiness across all of the Kingdom’s land, air, and sea ports to handle the post-Hajj departure phase. It urged all international pilgrims to strictly adhere to their scheduled travel times. The directorate confirmed its full readiness to process departing pilgrims across all of the Kingdom’s international air, land, and sea ports, facilitating their smooth return home after…