LONDON: Saudi Finance Minster Mohammed Al-Jadaan told the Future Investment Initiative conference on Wednesday that increased financial transparency was vital to attract foreign investment. He also said it was a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program to diversify the economy and make it less reliant on oil revenue.
He was speaking at a panel discussion in response to a question from panel host, John Defterios of CNN, who said people did not realize that the economic numbers coming from KSA today were far more informative than in yesteryear.
In response, Al-Jadaan said: “If we are expecting investors to partner with us to take advantage of opportunities to move the economy to 2030, we need to make sure we are giving them what they need, which is predictability, more transparency, more information and the sharing of data. We want to help their business, and give them an assurance about what we are doing.”
The panel heard that Saudi Arabia had moved to quarterly reports on GDP and published more information than ever before on bank and foreign exchange reserves.
Al-Jadaan said the private sector was the key driver of “where we want to go, and without it we will not be able to achieve what we have set out (in Vision 2030).”
He added: “We now have an enhanced regulatory framework that enhances transparency and predictability for the private sector. That leads to more stability.”
Al-Jadaan also reiterated support for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s statement to the conference on Tuesday, in which he promised to make Saudi Arabia, as it was before, “a country of moderate Islam.”
Defterios said over the past 24 hours several CEOs had told him those comments represented a shift, “a green light to go into a moderate, moderating open economy; it removes the uncertainty about whether there is an open-door policy in KSA.”
The finance minister said of Vision 2030: “It is saying we are open for business. We are welcoming and we are embracing our traditions and values as Muslims, and we will continue to do so.
“Islam is not radical, Islam is not extremist, Islam is moderate. We are making sure our society embraces the real Islam, the real values and real culture that you are seeing at this event today.”
He also said: “Vision 2030 is not about economic reform alone, it’s about social reform, it is about changing the lives of people in Saudi Arabia and the region.”
The aim was to make the Kingdom a catalyst for stability in the area. “We are at the center of the Islamic and Arab world. We need to make sure we utilize it for the benefit of our own good and also for the region,” said Al-Jadaan.
Saudi finance minister pledges greater transparency to lure investors
Saudi finance minister pledges greater transparency to lure investors
Inside the Kingdom’s digitally powered vision for Hajj
- A massive, tech-driven operation is ensuring a smooth, safe Hajj for millions
JEDDAH: With millions of pilgrims expected, Saudi Arabia is mobilizing a sophisticated, tech-driven operation for Hajj this year, leveraging one of the world’s most complex logistical efforts.
At the center is the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, leading a nationwide push to upgrade digital infrastructure, streamline crowd management, and enforce permit regulations, all shaped by lessons from previous Hajj seasons.
Dr. Ghassan Alnwaimi, ministry spokesperson, told Arab News that digital transformation remains at the heart of this strategy.
“Crowd management has been strengthened through collaboration with security forces, AI-powered monitoring at the Smart Makkah Operations Center, and updated visa gate protocols,” Alnwaimi added.
“The success of Hajj is not the result of a single entity, but a coordinated, government-wide effort,” Alnwaimi emphasized. “Various ministries and agencies work together across all stages to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims.”
These government entities include the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Security Forces, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.
A valid Hajj permit remains key to access and services. The “No Permit, No Hajj” campaign ensures that every pilgrim is registered, monitored, and fully supported throughout their journey.
Saudi Arabia also remains committed to an inclusive Hajj experience, serving pilgrims of all backgrounds through a multilingual outreach and tailored support. Over 300 awareness tools, including guides and instructional videos, cover health, rituals, safety, and logistics for global audiences.
On the ground, more than 167,000 trained personnel are deployed across 10 countries, offering support in 14 languages.
Health kits and educational materials, developed with the Ministry of Health, are available in at least eight languages, including Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Malay, and Turkish.
These efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to make Hajj more inclusive and accessible to Muslims worldwide.
The enhanced Nusuk ecosystem and its upgraded Nusuk Card now integrate mobility, security, and entry and exit procedures to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.
“For the 2025 season, more than 1.4 million smart cards have been issued,” said Alnwaimi. “Each card is linked to the Nusuk app, which now offers over 160 digital services.”
The Nusuk Card has become a central element of the digital Hajj ecosystem, enhancing safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
The ministry has also implemented a multi-layered monitoring system to ensure the quality of services provided to registered pilgrims.
Operational contracts are formalized in advance through the Nusuk digital platform. During the Hajj season, more than 3,400 field inspections have been conducted to check compliance in areas such as accommodation, transport, catering, and general services.
“Digital tools are central to real-time oversight,” Alnwaimi explained. “The Nusuk Card and app support health and safety monitoring, while 24/7 support is available through Nusuk Care Centers and the Pilgrims’ Care Center hotline (1966), which handles inquiries and complaints.”
These smart cards also grant access to the holy sites, including the Grand Mosque, and securely store key personal data like health records and accommodation details. For elderly and vulnerable pilgrims, they link to wearable devices that transmit real-time data to medical teams, enabling swift emergency response.
The app integrates features like real-time crowd alerts, smart navigation, health data sharing, and multilingual artificial intelligence-powered translation. It offers more than 150 religious FAQs, 160 prayers and supplications, 250 educational resources, and over 200 personalized alerts throughout the pilgrimage.
“The app offers real-time maps with over 20,000 key locations across the holy sites,” added Alnwaimi. “(Nusuk app) reflects how faith and technology are coming together to enhance both the spiritual and logistical aspects of Hajj.”
One of the ministry’s standout initiatives is the Makkah Route program, which simplifies visa, health, and customs procedures for around 249,000 pilgrims before they even depart their home countries.
Through this program, pilgrims complete all required steps, including electronic visa issuance, biometric registration, and health verification at designated airports abroad. Their luggage is coded and sorted according to their transportation and accommodation details in Saudi Arabia.
Upon arrival, pilgrims are taken directly to their accommodations in Makkah or Madinah, while partner agencies handle luggage delivery.
Currently, the Makkah Route operates in eight countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, and the Maldives.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah adopts a data-driven approach to tracking pilgrim satisfaction in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
“After Hajj, feedback is collected through direct testimonials, structured surveys, and digital platforms, providing valuable insights into each pilgrim’s experience,” Alnwaimi said. “We are pleased to share that the satisfaction rate has steadily increased from 74 percent in 2022 to 78 percent in 2023, and now to 81 percent in 2024.”
Saudi authorities furnish Namirah Mosque with 125,000 sq. m of carpets to serve Hajj pilgrims
- Namirah Mosque has been fully prepared and upgraded to receive pilgrims, of whom 1.25 million embarked Wednesday on pilgrimage
- The mosque’s backyard was equipped with 19 canopies capable of reducing heat by an average of 10 degrees Celsius
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have furnished the Namirah Mosque near Mount Arafat, an essential holy site for Muslim pilgrims during Hajj, with thousands of square meters of carpets.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced on Wednesday that Namirah Mosque has been fully prepared and upgraded to receive pilgrims, of whom 1.25 million embarked on Wednesday on pilgrimage.
The mosque was furnished with 125,000 sq. m of luxurious carpets to provide comfort for Hajj pilgrims, while its backyard was equipped with 19 canopies capable of reducing heat by an average of 10 degrees Celsius.
Reflective paint was applied to the floor, and 117 fog fans were installed in the surrounding courtyards to reduce temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius, the ministry added.
Namirah Mosque is ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on the Day of Arafat, which begins on the evening of June 4 and ends on June 5. Afterward, the pilgrims will proceed to the holy sites of Muzdalifah and Mina.
The ministry has upgraded the mosque’s ventilation, air conditioning and purification system to monitor carbon dioxide levels and to allow for 100 percent air renewal every 30 minutes.
To create a healthier environment for pilgrims, the ministry has installed 70 water chillers; each unit can serve up to 2,000 pilgrims an hour, with a total capacity of quenching the thirst of 140,000 pilgrims an hour. In addition, it has updated the site’s audio system and security surveillance cameras.
Namirah Mosque is one of the largest in the world, accommodating nearly 400,000 worshippers at once. It features 72 gates and entrances. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon at this site.
Pilgrims arrive in Mina as Saudi Arabia mobilizes services for Hajj peak
- More than 1.4 million pilgrims confirmed to have arrived from outside the Kingdom
- On first day in Mina, known as Day of Tarwiyah, pilgrims typically spend night in preparation for journey to Arafat
MINA: With the number of worshippers approaching two million, pilgrims on Wednesday arrived in Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah, preparing for the most important day of Hajj — the Day of Arafat — on June 5.
These pilgrims are following the steps of Prophet Mohammed by spending Tarwiyah Day in Mina on Wednesday this year, making their final preparations for the Standing at Arafat, the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage, tomorrow.
In compliance with directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, various service sectors mobilized their capabilities to help the pilgrims perform Hajj rituals in tranquility and peace.
With more than 1.4 million pilgrims confirmed to have arrived from outside the Kingdom, the pilgrims’ movements into Mina proceeded smoothly in accordance with a comprehensive traffic plan. The plan covered all main routes and was supported by aerial security surveillance to ensure the orderly progression of this critical phase of the pilgrimage.
In weather conditions of about 41°C, the ministry urged all pilgrims to familiarize themselves with its hospitals and medical centers should they require health assistance, wherever they are in the holy sites, emphasizing that everything is available to ensure their health and safety.
On the first day in Mina, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, pilgrims typically spend the night there in preparation for their journey to Arafat the next day. With their prayers shortened, they devote their time to supplicating Allah and chanting the Talbiyah — a proclamation of their intention to perform the pilgrimage solely for the sake of the Almighty. This is traditionally recited aloud and in groups upon entering the state of ihram.
The relevant security and health authorities, alongside other government and private organisations, had earlier intensified their plans and preparations to ensure the smooth performance of Hajj rituals, all under the direct supervision and close monitoring of the Saudi leadership.
Khalid Al-Tala, the spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Health, provided key updates during a press conference on June 3, highlighting several pioneering health initiatives launched for the current Hajj season.
Among the most notable is the use of drone technology to accelerate the delivery of medical aid to remote areas — an innovative approach the ministry says is the first of its kind globally.
Al-Tala said that the current health status of pilgrims was reassuring, with no recorded cases of epidemics or major health concerns reported to date.
As of the seventh day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the ministry has delivered more than 98,000 health services, including emergency care, surgical procedures, and intensive treatments.
He further announced the establishment of three additional field hospitals, providing a combined capacity of 1,200 beds. The ministry has also set up 71 emergency response points, deployed 900 ambulances, and added 11 medical evacuation aircraft to support healthcare operations during the pilgrimage.
Advanced medical services have also been activated, including the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology and virtual health consultations. The ministry’s 937 call center operates round the clock in numerous languages to assist pilgrims.
Since the beginning of the Hajj season, Al-Tala said, more than 1.4 million pilgrims have benefited from preventive health services at entry points, provided in coordination with various medical mission clinics.
The spokesman said that their medical teams have successfully performed 16 open-heart surgeries, 148 cardiac catheterizations, and handled 62 cases of heat exhaustion.
He added that, with the participation of more than 50,000 medical and technical personnel, bed capacity has been increased by 60 percent compared with last year.
Speaking to Arab News, Fatima Al-Sayed, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that the organization and services provided by the Saudi authorities in Mina are truly commendable.
“From the moment we arrived, we have felt a strong sense of care and preparedness. The tents are well equipped, clean and air-conditioned, ensuring our comfort in the heat,” she said.
Al-Sayed added that medical services are readily available, security personnel are visible and helpful, and food and water are distributed efficiently.
“The crowd management and transportation arrangements are smooth, especially given the large number of pilgrims. We are deeply grateful for the efforts made to ensure our safety and to help us perform our rituals with ease and peace of mind.” she said.
Situated between Makkah and Muzdalifah, Mina lies about seven kilometers northeast of the Grand Mosque. It is part of the Haram, or sacred boundary, and is encircled by mountains to the north and south. It is uninhabited throughout the year, except during the Hajj season, when it becomes a focal point of the pilgrimage.
On the Makkah side, Mina is bordered by the Jamarat area, while on the opposite side it adjoins the Valley of Muhassir.
Muhassir gets its name from a significant historical incident — it is believed to be where the elephant of Abraha the Abyssinian halted during his failed attempt to destroy the Kaaba around the year 570 — an event known in Islamic tradition as the Year of the Elephant, which coincides with the birth year of the Prophet Muhammad.
Kingdom launches first mobile stroke unit for Hajj
- Initiative aims to save lives with rapid on-site stroke care during pilgrimage
MAKKAH: In a healthcare milestone for pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has deployed a mobile stroke unit for the first time at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during this year’s Hajj.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Harthi, an emergency medicine consultant and executive director of Ajyad Hospital, told Arab News that the unit was a state-of-the-art ambulance designed specifically for stroke cases, aiming to reduce the time between symptom onset and treatment — without the need for hospital transport.
“The unit can quickly access difficult locations and provide immediate care on-site, improving recovery and saving lives,” he said.
It is equipped with a CT scanner, an intravenous contrast system and clot-dissolving medications. A remote communication system with high-speed internet and a 360-degree camera allows consultants to monitor patients in real time from anywhere.
The team at the mobile stroke unit comprises a neurologist, cardiologist, respiratory therapist, emergency nurse, radiologist and paramedic.
The unit is the result of a collaboration between Health Holding Co., via the Makkah Health Cluster, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, with support from the Ministry of Health.
Al-Harthi said that the unit was designed to treat one patient at a time, with diagnosis and treatment typically completed within 15 minutes. It has already proven effective in several cases.
He shared an example of a 60-year-old Ugandan pilgrim who recently arrived at Al-Haram Emergency Hospital with slurred speech and one-sided weakness. The pilgrim had collapsed inside the Grand Mosque due to a hemorrhage, prompting an immediate response.
The patient was transferred to the mobile unit, where imaging was done and clot-dissolving treatment was administered. His condition improved within minutes.
“The patient was later moved to King Abdulaziz Hospital for intensive care, and within two days he showed remarkable recovery and expressed a desire to continue his pilgrimage,” Al-Harthi said. “This highlights the importance of timely intervention in preserving brain function.”
He praised the Ministry of Health and the Makkah Health Cluster for introducing this advanced technology during Hajj, crediting its success to strong coordination among government agencies.
The unit was deployed to Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital on Tuesday as part of a broader strategy to ensure top-quality medical care for pilgrims, allowing them to complete their rituals safely and comfortably.
Every year, tens of thousands of Hajj pilgrims benefit from services provided by health centers and hospitals at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia deploys about 50,000 healthcare and other professionals to work 24 hours a day during Islam’s most important gathering.
Minister of endowments thanks Saudi Arabia for caring for Syrian pilgrims
- Syrian minister of endowments conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Saudi leadership
- An estimated 22,500 Syrians have embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday.
An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9.
Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims’ commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations.
The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as “messengers of Syria” and show a good example during the Hajj.
Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
