CAIRO: Egyptian scholars and men of religion have valued the efforts and services provided by Saudi Arabia to pilgrims coming from different countries, so they can peacefully and securely perform their Hajj rituals.
As they expressed their appreciation of the king for inviting 1,000 pilgrims from families of Egyptian army and police martyrs to the Kingdom, and ordered that private jets belonging to Saudia be sent to Doha airport to bring Qatari pilgrims at his expenses, they underscored that Saudi Arabia has put its human and financial resources at the service this season’s Hajj.
They rejected the false allegations politicizing Hajj directed toward the Kingdom, asserting that pilgrims from all nationalities are welcome.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Magdy Ashour, scientific adviser to the Egyptian grand mufti, lauded the efforts of the Kingdom, which always strives for the convenience of every pilgrim.
He thanked the Kingdom for hosting 1,000 Egyptian martyrs’ family members, for it truly values the sacrifices made by the Egyptian army and police in combatting terrorist groups’ extremist ideologies.
He said that Hajj, being one of Islam’s pillars, aims to bring Muslims together around religious rituals, rather than generating political tensions. Therefore, Muslims should focus on performing their rituals, instead of listening to calls for division.
Ibrahim Najm, adviser to the mufti of Egypt, affirmed that such allegations promote extremism and terrorism, and contradict the principle of unity, which is the pilgrimage’s main goal.
He commended King Salman, the Saudi people, and all the organizers for the efforts exerted in facilitating this season’s Hajj, and for creating an environment of love, fraternity, peace, security and piety.
Abdul Hamid El-Atrach said that Hajj can only have a religious dimension, never a political one. That is why attempting to bring political disputes into the religious sphere aim to create strife, which is utterly unacceptable.
He then noted that the Kingdom will take any decision deemed necessary to protect the pilgrims, noting that no other country in the world is able to host millions of people in a small area, during such a short period of time.
Egyptian scholars value Saudi Arabia's efforts to provide services to Hajj pilgrims
Egyptian scholars value Saudi Arabia's efforts to provide services to Hajj pilgrims
Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan
TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.
Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.