JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia rejects all attempts to politicize and internationalize the Hajj, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, said on Monday.
Prince Khaled, adviser to King Salman and governor of Makkah Region, was speaking at the inauguration of the “Hajj is Worship and Civilized Behavior” campaign. “Hajj is a message of peace,” he said.
On the campaign by Qatar to reduce the role of the Kingdom in providing services to pilgrims, Prince Khaled said: “The answer is in the title of this campaign ... There can be no politicization of pilgrimage.”
Prince Khaled said Saudi Arabia’s leadership, government and people were keen to provide everything to serve the Hajj pilgrims, and to enable them to perform their pilgrimage with ease.
He urged all pilgrims to be infused with Islamic ethics and to be a model of Muslim civilization.
“The campaign since its inception has achieved great achievements and successes, including the reduction of the rate of offenders to 5 percent during the pilgrimage season compared to 9 percent in the previous year,” he said.
“There is a lot of doubting, but the lesson is in the results and the achievement. The regulations will be applied firmly and with Islamic ethics.”
Prince Khaled revealed that the Makkah Region Development Authority had implemented projects worth SR300 million this year to improve Hajj services and develop them in the current season. The authority and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah would implement a large project in the holy sites to be announced in due course, he said. “All sectors have their achievements in the pilgrimage season.”
The campaign, launched by the emirate of Makkah in 2008, continues to spread the Hajj message of peace. It will work to consolidate the ultimate goal of bringing millions together for performing a pillar of Islam based on peace and spirituality.
The objectives of the campaign are to educate pilgrims to abide by public laws and regulations, thus contributing significantly to a safe and peaceful pilgrimage.
The campaign targets citizens, residents, Tawafa organizations, Hajj companies, the transport sector and the media.
Makkah governor rejects Qatar’s attempt to reduce Saudi role in Hajj
Makkah governor rejects Qatar’s attempt to reduce Saudi role in Hajj
Syrian high-level delegation arrives in Saudi Arabia
- Delegation includes Defense Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab
RIYADH: A high-level Syrian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The delegation, which includes Defense Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack
- Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.
A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.
It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Heart of hospitality: Saudi cultural host welcomes world with open arms
- Fathima Alayan’s Saudi home experience part of program for visitors interested in Kingdom’s heritage
- ‘I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our civilization up close,’ she says
MAKKAH: English teacher turned cultural host Fathima Alayan has opened her Riyadh home to tourists to showcase the Kingdom’s rich heritage and hospitality.
Her initiative aligns with the national vision to strengthen cultural identity and showcase it to the world.
With her fluency in English and passion for Saudi heritage, Alayan has created an experience for visitors that blends traditional hospitality with displays of artifacts and clothing and even cookery lessons.
Alayan is part of the Hihome program, which offers visitors the chance to get to know Saudi culture by visiting real homes and farms and eating and cooking with the families.
The program aims to present a positive image of Saudi culture, in line with the Vision 2030 goal of strengthening national identity and preserving heritage.
“I carry the responsibility of showcasing my country’s identity and the culture of the Saudi family to the world by hosting foreign tourists in my modest home, in alignment with the vision of my leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” Alayan told Arab News.
Alayan stands as a role model for spreading the values and ethics of Saudi society and represents Saudi women as active contributors to national initiatives.
For visitors, the experience begins with authentic Saudi coffee and a selection of traditional dates and desserts, such as luqaimat, masabib and hanini. This is followed by a sumptuous lunch or dinner featuring dishes like kabsa, mandi, jareesh, marqouq, each prepared with love and precision.
“It’s not just about serving food; my family and I also share with them how each dish is prepared, giving them a true glimpse into our culture and way of life,” Alayan said.
The experience includes an introduction to traditional Saudi clothing, which visitors are invited to wear and have their photos taken to commemorate their visit.
“The tourists’ interaction with our traditional clothing and their love for the experience leave a significant impression on their hearts,” Alayan said.
“It confirms to me that my work has a positive impact in enhancing the image of Saudi society globally.”
Speaking about the guests she dreams of hosting in her home, she said: “I hope to have the honor of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Farhan Al-Saud and Adviser Turki Al-Sheikh to support this pioneering national project.”
Alayan considers her participation in the Hihome program, via the hihome.sa app, a crucial step toward achieving her ambitions.
Hihome founder and CEO Nourah Al-Sadoun said: “We have nine categories of experiences. These include home and food tours, cooking experiences, heritage arts and crafts and camel rides. Each experience is designed to give visitors a true taste of Saudi life.”
Alayan is among the platform’s standout hosts who has been opening up her home to visitors for more than four years.
“Fathima is a lovely host who embodies the beauty of Saudi culture and traditions,” Al-Sadoun told Arab News.
“She has welcomed many guests into her home, where they have enjoyed not only her hospitality but also her passion for sharing Saudi heritage.”
As a passionate cook, Alayan offers hands-on cooking experiences and ensures that every visitor leaves with beautiful memories of Saudi culture and traditions.
“My message to the world is that Saudi Arabia is not just a country rich in resources but also rich in values, culture and people,” she said. “I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our culture up close.”
Ministry expands Saudi Arabia’s home healthcare services
- The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year
- Basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy
RIYADH: The Ministry of Health, through health clusters, continues to provide home healthcare services throughout the Kingdom, aiming to improve the quality of living, patient experience, and provide comprehensive treatment solutions.
The ministry said that basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy.
Additionally, new services have been introduced, such as mother and childcare, dialysis, and palliative care.
The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year, with more than 71,000 total beneficiaries since the service’s launch, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
These services are provided by 244 home healthcare departments, with more than 2,700 specialized staff members.
These efforts align with the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance access to healthcare services and their quality, thereby addressing community needs.
The ministry said that home healthcare services can be requested through specialized hospital departments or referrals from primary healthcare services, if eligibility criteria are met.
Meanwhile, the Health Sector Transformation Program highlighted major achievements in 2024, including the use of technology to improve health.
The Sehhaty platform set up more than 51 million virtual consultations. Additionally, more than 14 million individuals used the Wasfaty platform, which recorded more then 40 million prescriptions.
The number of health volunteers has passed 632,000 since the platform’s launch, the SPA reported.
Saudi foreign ministry official meets Somalia’s consul general in Jeddah
- Cabdiwali Xirsi Cabdille presented his credentials to Fareed Al-Shehri, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah
Fareed bin Saad Al-Shehri, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah, received Cabdiwali Xirsi Cabdille, consul general of Somalia in Jeddah, on Wednesday.
Cabdille presented his credentials to Al-Shehri at the ministry’s offices in Jeddah, and they discussed issues of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Khalid Bawazier, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of finance for international relations, met with a delegation from Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy in Riyadh, the Foreign Ministry posted on X.
