Egyptian officials laud Saudi Hajj preparations

Pilgrims go through passport control upon their arrival at Jeddah airport prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah. (AFP)
Updated 10 August 2018
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Egyptian officials laud Saudi Hajj preparations

JEDDAH: Egyptian officials and intellectuals have commended the Saudi government’s preparations to ensure the success of this year’s Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The editor-in-chief of Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Alaa Thabet, said the preparations reflect the Saudi leadership’s keenness to provide pilgrims with the best services and ensure their comfort and safety.
The Kingdom leaves nothing to chance, developing plans that exceed all expectations by studying many scenarios and considering all possibilities, he added.
The head of the Egyptian Parliament’s Religious Affairs and Endowments Committee, Osama Al-Abd, commended the expansion projects of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, the development projects in Mina and Muzdalifah, and the services offered in all fields. He expressed confidence that the Saudi leadership harnesses all its capabilities to ensure peace and security during the Hajj season.
Al-Abd thanked King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people for their efforts and the services provided to pilgrims.
A member of the Egyptian Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, Ashraf Shiha, commended the Kingdom’s role in serving pilgrims and facilitating their rituals.
“Saudi Arabia harnesses its human and material resources to serve pilgrims who visit the holy places every year,” he said.
“Obtaining a visa can now be done through an online portal, which reflects the Saudi government’s keenness to ensure pilgrims’ comfort.”
The chairman of Al-Ahram Foundation and head of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Abdul Mohsen Salama, said Saudi Arabia makes every effort to serve pilgrims and ensure their comfort, as well as harnessing all resources to develop the holy sites.
“Every year, the Kingdom tries to provide all services that ensure the comfort of pilgrims from around the world without discrimination,” he added.
The chairman of El-Osboa newspaper and a member of Egypt’s Parliament, Mustafa Bakri, commended Saudi efforts to serve all pilgrims without discrimination.
“Facilitating Hajj procedures every year indicates that the Kingdom is performing its role perfectly and providing pilgrims with all required services,” he said.
“Continuous development projects and strong infrastructure are proof of this, and that the ultimate goal is to ensure pilgrims’ comfort.”
Meanwhile, the deputy speaker of the Arab Parliament, Adel Al-Assoumi, praised Saudi efforts to ensure the success of the Hajj season every year, saying the Kingdom’s preparations are universally admired. The Arab Parliament appreciates the Kingdom’s care for pilgrims, he said.
The director general of the Arab Administrative Development Organization, Dr. Nasser Al-Hitlan Al-Qahtani, said: “The Kingdom’s tremendous efforts are an integral part of its commitment to serve the Two Holy Mosques and provide pilgrims… with security and safety.”
He commended the ongoing expansion projects at the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites.


Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

Updated 03 April 2025
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Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

  • Suspects arrested in multiple regions as authorities tighten grip on drug trade

Riyadh: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

Border Guard land patrols in the Halat Ammar sector of the Tabuk region foiled the smuggling of 352,275 amphetamine pills.

In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, authorities arrested two Ethiopians with 50 kg of qat, while another operation led to the arrest of four Ethiopians smuggling 120 kg of qat.

In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, an Ethiopian was caught with 155,400 regulated tablets, and another smuggling attempt involving 995 kg of qat was thwarted.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Pakistani resident in Riyadh with 6.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.

Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region with 16,132 amphetamine tablets and 7.5 kg of hashish.

Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were transferred to the relevant bodies.

Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.


KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

Updated 03 April 2025
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KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In Yemen, KSrelief delivered the fourth batch of dialysis solutions and supplies for kidney patients in Al-Mukalla district of Hadramout governorate.

Hadramout Assistant Deputy Gov. Fahmi Badhawi highlighted the importance of the supplies and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support for Yemen’s healthcare sector and humanitarian efforts.

The scheme is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts through KSrelief to provide healthcare services to patients and the injured, while improving Yemen’s medical sector, the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered food baskets to 155 families in Sahnaya town, Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 769 people. The agency also provided clothing parcels to 140 families in Aleppo governorate.

In Lebanon, KSrelief provided food baskets to 828 families in Western Bekaa, Akkar and Dannieh, and 467 food baskets in Beirut, benefiting 2,335 people.

In Sudan, KSrelief handed out 2,000 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Berber locality, River Nile State, benefiting 12,811 people, and 800 food baskets in Jebeit, Red Sea State, benefiting 4,720 people.

Since launching in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion in 106 countries, partnering with more than 300 local, regional and international organizations.

A recent KSrelief report shows the countries and territories benefiting the most from the agency’s projects: Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($514 million), Syria ($479 million), Somalia ($235 million) and other countries totaling $929 million.

Programs cover food security, early recovery, water sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid, nutrition, and logistics and telecommunications.


Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

Updated 03 April 2025
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Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

  • The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions

Riyadh: The public should exercise caution as thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Monday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense. 

Residents are advised to stay in safe locations, avoid valleys and areas prone to flooding, and refrain from swimming in them, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

According to the report, there will be dust-stirring winds, and moderate to heavy rain may fall in the Makkah and Riyadh regions.

The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions.

The Jazan region will see light to moderate rain, while the Najran region will experience light rainfall, the report said.

The Civil Defense has urged the public to monitor official channels and social media platforms for the latest weather updates.


Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

Among those attending the event were Saudi Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid and officials from the US State Department. (Supplied)
Updated 02 April 2025
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Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

  • The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange

LOS ANGELES: Saudi Arabia’s Consulate General in Los Angeles marked Eid Al-Fitr with a festive celebration attended by Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid, officials from the US State Department, the Vice Mayor of Irvine James Mai, the former mayor of Irvine, and accredited consul generals.

The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Through such initiatives, the consulate aims to highlight the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

 


Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

Updated 02 April 2025
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Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

  • It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language is hosting the Arabic Language Month program in Spain throughout April, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event is a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing Arabic language curricula, promoting the language, and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this field.

The progeam is designed to strengthen academic and educational ties between Saudi Arabia and international institutions, the SPA reported.

It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions.

As part of the academy’s global Arabic teaching program, the initiative has been implemented in countries such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China, India, France, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia, expanding its international reach and fostering global partnerships.