ADEN: Yemeni Minister of Local Administration Abdul Raqib Fatah hailed the assistance provided by Saudi Arabia to Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The Kingdom’s assistance to Yemen is demonstrated by the efforts of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) in helping the people of Yemen inside and outside their country.
Fatah, who is also the head of Higher Committee for Relief, referred to the comprehensive humanitarian plan announced by the Saudi-led coalition, explaining that there are 17 routes for reaching Yemen, and the new response plan has established a new airport in Marib.
He called on the UN to use military aircraft to deliver aid to Yemenis.
The Yemeni minister rejected the Houthis’ claim of an alleged siege, requesting that anyone who mentions a blockade or siege must refer to a relief convoy that was denied access to a governorate by the legitimate government or the coalition.
“The true siege is the one being carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who are establishing new routes in Dhamar, Ibb, and Sanaa and therefore increasing the costs of delivering aid and consequently expanding the area of poverty,” he said.
In an interview with the Yemeni national television, Fatah explained that “if not for KSRelief’s great efforts in providing assistance to the Yemeni people, as well as the efforts of the UAE Red Crescent and the Kuwaiti Relief Authority, the people of Yemen would have suffered famine.”
“Those are our true partners who have stood by us since the crisis erupted,” he added, explaining that the situation in Yemen is the result of a coup carried out by a group that wished to rule Yemen with force.
“The Houthi rebels have targeted with their weapons all the Yemenis, foremost the legitimate president, and they have done this after Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi led a dialogue in which representatives of all Yemeni parties participated — including the Houthis, who signed the dialogue’s documents.”
Fatah criticized the performance of UN organizations and described it as “centralized” during the 2017 relief operation, pointing out that this year, UN organizations have decided that relief gets carried out through 5 relief centers in Sanaa, Hodeidah, Aden, Hadramout, and Marib so that it does not remain centralized.
“This measure will ensure justice in distributing aid,” he said.
Fatah pointed out that the High Relief Committee submitted 92 statements to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sanaa, Jamie McGoldrick, and to ambassadors of different countries, documenting violations committed by Houthi rebels in 2017, including direct seizure of aid convoys and taking hold of 250 aid convoys on their way to Taiz districts.
“I explained to the head of Office for OCHA, George Khoury, that in 2018, we must stop diagnosing and move on to treatment,” he continued, stressing that “treating the situation can be done once we move to the second phase of the relief operation because it helps us secure sources of income and livelihoods, which is what the US is doing in many countries.”
The Yemeni minister indicated that UN organizations are a major ally of the Yemeni government.
“Our goal in 2018 is not to only provide the Yemeni people with flour, rice, and oil after three years of war, but to transition to the second phase of relief according to the UN’s standards and commitments, which is the phase of providing livelihoods,” he said.
Yemeni minister lauds KSRelief
Yemeni minister lauds KSRelief
Saudi Arabia sees surging prices for religious tourism amid Ramadan rush
- Umrah package prices soar amid high demand for pilgrimage to holy cities
- Some international fares double amid festive rush of expatriates going home for Eid Al-Fitr
RIYADH: Ramadan is a highly popular period to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, and travel agencies and tour operators are cashing in on the festive rush.
Flights from Riyadh to Jeddah are seeing increased demand and surging prices.
“There was an offer on Saudi Founding Day so some people got cheaper tickets, but with the beginning of Ramadan tickets went up,” said Mohammad Aslam Jameel, a travel company supervisor in Riyadh.
“If you are traveling now to Jeddah, the round-trip tickets will cost about SR1,700 ($453) to SR2,000.”
There are comparatively cheaper tickets for odd timings, but they, too, will total about SR1,500 now to SR 2,000 during Qiyam — the last 10 days of Ramadan — he added.
Umrah travel operators in Riyadh have almost doubled the price of the bus tour package to SR200 per person, Mohammed Iqbal, who recently booked an Umrah pilgrimage, told Arab News.
“The huge rush was due to the holy month of Ramadan since most of the people want to spend these days in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah,” he said.
An employee of Al-Fajr, a tour operator in the city, also added that the increased prices were due to surging demand.
Ticket prices for international flights, too, have soared on dates close to Eid Al-Fitr as many expatriates plan to travel back home.
Asif Ahmed, an Indian working in Riyadh and traveling home for the Eid celebration with his family, told Arab News: “When I had checked the price with the tour operator for the same period two months ago for a round trip, it was about SR2,000. Now the tickets prices for the round trip have soared to SR4,000.”
Syed Faiz Ahmad, a Pakistani expat working in Yanbu, told Arab News: “It’s my 28th year staying in Saudi Arabia. During my early years the cost of air tickets for travel to my native country during Eid was not much, but as the time has passed all airlines have started to raise the prices exorbitantly amid (the) festive rush.
“This has become economically challenging to travel home during holidays especially with family.”
Saudi Arabia’s religious tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with data revealing a sharp rise in travel demand for 2024 and 2025.
Findings from travel booking platform Skyscanner highlight the increasing global interest in pilgrimage travel.
With early 2025 travel data already reflecting strong demand, the trend of growing religious tourism is expected to continue.
January 2025 saw a 21 percent year-on-year increase in flight searches to Saudi Arabia, with peak travel interest centered around March 2025 — coinciding with the start of Ramadan.
Findings for 2024 also revealed spikes around Ramadan (March–April) and Hajj (June).
Madinah has emerged as a key destination for travelers interested in pilgrimage, with searches for flights to Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport rising by 54 percent year-on-year.
Religious tourism remains a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, serving as a key pillar in the Kingdom’s economic transformation. Significant investments are being made to improve infrastructure, expand flight routes and enhance the pilgrim experience.
Key projects such as the Makkah Route Initiative for Hajj pilgrims and the Haramain High-Speed Railway are instrumental in these efforts.
Countering the trend of surging prices, the railway offered discounts on two-way travel between Makkah and Madinah during the first 20 days of Ramadan.
The railway has also increased Makkah-Madinah trips for the final 10 days of Ramadan to accommodate the surge in Umrah performers during Qiyam Al-Layl, with 130 additional daily trips added, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway, among the world’s fastest railways with a speed of 300 km per hour, also increased station gate capacity from eight to 24 and added two terminals.
Saudi fund celebrates cultural innovation at Storytellers event
- Riyadh gathering highlights new opportunities, fosters Saudi cultural entrepreneurship
Riyadh: The Cultural Development Fund hosted the third annual Storytellers event in Riyadh, bringing together key officials, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs and creators from various cultural fields.
The gathering is part of the fund’s efforts to strengthen connections, explore new opportunities and support the sector’s momentum, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It featured a keynote by the fund’s CEO, Majed Al-Hugail, followed by remarks from representatives of the Elite Chefs Center, behind the CHEFPreneur program — one of the initiatives supported by the fund.
The program equips aspiring chefs with culinary expertise and entrepreneurial skills to launch their own projects and establish competitive businesses.
The gathering also celebrated 42 graduates of the program who had completed their training.
In line with its commitment to supporting enabled projects, the fund showcased several beneficiary projects, allowing guests to experience their creative offerings firsthand.
The event featured cultural activities aligned with the Year of Handicrafts 2025. Guests took part in traditional crafts like prayer bead-making and henna art, while a special art exhibition showcased works by visual artist and craftswoman Naifah Al-Shahrani.
Inspired by the traditional Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, the exhibition honored the rich heritage of southern Saudi Arabia with vibrant colors and intricate details.
The event aimed to strengthen strategic partnerships with government entities, the private sector and nonprofit organizations to drive sustainable growth in the cultural sector, contributing to economic development and enhancing quality of life.
Nawaf Al-Owain, the fund’s marketing and communication executive director, told Arab News: “This annual gathering is part of the fund’s efforts to foster strong partnerships with key stakeholders and sustain the cultural sector’s momentum.
“It also reflects the fund’s role as a key financial enabler and its commitment to empowering creatives and cultural entrepreneurship.”
He added: “Now in its third year, the event has become a cornerstone of the fund’s outreach efforts, establishing a platform that unites creatives, entrepreneurs and influencers to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and explore collaboration opportunities across cultural and financial sectors.
“By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the fund aims to promote partnerships that drive growth and sustainability in the cultural sector.”
Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh restored in traditional Najdi style
RIYADH: The historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Hotat Bani Tamim, Riyadh, is among the places of worship restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques aims to safeguard Islamic heritage and highlight traditional architectural styles.
Established in 1835 and named after the castle of Imam Turki bin Abdullah that once stood on its premises, Al-Qalaah Mosque holds significant historical value, which the project seeks to preserve.
Upon completion, the mosque will cover 625 sq. meters, accommodating up to 180 worshipers, the SPA reported.
Built in the Najdi style, the mosque primarily uses clay, with a construction method involving a clay and hay mixture placed in wooden molds to form brick-like structures.
This technique is known for its economic efficiency compared to other materials, offering advantages such as thermal resistance and maintaining a moderate indoor temperature.
It is one of 30 mosques across 13 regions included in phase two, featuring six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf and Jazan. One mosque is included in each of the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim.
Phase two follows the completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions, according to the SPA.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.
Kingdom arrests 25,150 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 25,150 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 17,886 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,247 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,017 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,553 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 69 percent were Ethiopian, 28 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 63 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 36 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
KSrelief delivers aid to vulnerable communities
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, 840 packages were distributed across several governorates as part of the Etaam Ramadan project.
KSrelief also provided 190 food packages to Syrian refugees in the town of Shebaa, Lebanon, benefiting 950 people.
In South Africa’s Vereeniging, 400 packages were distributed to families, while 190 parcels went to those in need in southern Lebanon, aiding 900 individuals.
In Tajikistan, KSrelief delivered food packages to 600 families in Baljuvon district.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Additionally, KSrelief distributed 4,050 cartons of dates in Yemen’s Aden governorate, benefiting 24,300 people.
