AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s most romantic gem

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Offering a rich plethora of cultural, historical and adventurous experiences, AlUla is a great new place for die-hard romantics, one that is literally on the doorsteps of all Saudis. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 13 February 2020
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AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s most romantic gem

  • Couples can enjoy wonders of the area by attending Winter at Tantora festival
  • Rich with historic culture, mystery and romantic landscapes, AlUla is the perfect getaway

JEDDAH: As far as romantic destinations go, there’s nothing more romantic than the beautiful landscape of AlUla; with its mesmerizing mountain carvings and rock tombs, the mystical ancient land is an experience on its own.

Offering a rich plethora of cultural, historical and adventurous experiences, it is a great new place for die-hard romantics, one that is literally on the doorsteps of all Saudis.

Though it will officially open in October 2020, couples can still enjoy the wonders of the area by attending this year’s Winter at Tantora festival. 

Hundreds of thousands of years of history serve as a backdrop to pop up restaurants, luxury hotels, excursions and desert adventures. 

Resorts in AlUla are surrounded by mountains and vast deserts — the perfect place for a couple to enjoy a quiet and unique experience for Valentine’s Day.

This weekend, the world-renowned theater company, Caracalla, will perform “Jamil and Buthainah — A Love Legend from the Oasis of AlUla” at the Maraya Concert Hall. It is a story of love and loss penned by classical local AlUla poet, Jamil Buthainah. 

The performance is fitting for the weekend as the storyline will come alive through music, dance and theater.

There are a number of restaurants in AlUla such as Sass Cafe that serves Italian, French and Mediterranean dishes, burgers from Salt, Michelin-starred chefs at Annabel’s, La Cantine du Faubourg and, and more for visitors to enjoy different tastes throughout a romantic weekend getaway.

For a unique hiking experience, there are two trails. The Arabian Leopard trail and the Lost Knight trail are between 2-3 hours that will take visitors to locations where they can discover the region’s natural heritage, flora and geological formations as well as sites where they can view historical inscriptions and more.

Looking for a little more adventure, nothing gets the heart beating like a zip line adventure. Measuring at 880 meters long and standing over 1200 meters above sea level over the Harrat — dormant volcanic fields located nearby — you can fly over the region at over 90 kilometers an hour reaching the landing area in less than a minute. Short and exhilarating, it is a fun and entertaining way to add thrill to the romantic weekend.

A journey to AlUla is not complete without a visit to Jabal Ikmah rock art, the site for the Lihyanite civilization. At Hegra, the capital of the Nabataean civilization, visitors will be transported in time to a golden age of a flourishing city with the large carved rock tombs of their kings as a backdrop.

Rich with historic culture, mystery and romantic landscapes, AlUla is the perfect getaway for a quick and once in a lifetime experience.


Tough security ensures safe, smooth Hajj

Updated 6 sec ago
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Tough security ensures safe, smooth Hajj

  • The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season

ARAFAT: Saudi Arabia has intensified the enforcement of Hajj permit regulations this year, barring individuals without official permits from entering Makkah to ensure that authorized pilgrims can fully benefit from the Kingdom’s services and facilities.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security forces had been deployed across all key access points to Makkah to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the city in the days leading up to Hajj. The intensified measures come in response to longstanding concerns over the strain placed on infrastructure and essential services by unauthorized pilgrims.

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season.

By ensuring that only authorized individuals enter Makkah during the Hajj season, the Kingdom aims to maintain public health, optimize crowd control and uphold the spiritual integrity of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

In a recent press conference, held ahead of Hajj, the Kingdom detailed preparations aligned with the directives of Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. The strategy covers public safety, crowd and traffic control, and emergency responses throughout the pilgrims’ journey.

Authorities reported the dismantling of 252 fake Hajj campaigns, the arrest of 1,239 illegal transporters, and the return of 269,678 non-residents of Makkah, 75,943 unauthorized pilgrims and 109,632 vehicles. An additional 11,610 individuals were found violating residency, labor and border laws.

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

The move is part of a broader effort by authorities to safeguard the sanctity of the pilgrimage and ensure the safety and comfort of registered pilgrims.

The MoI has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 (more than $5,300), with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10.

The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. (AN photo by  Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

The ministry warned that foreign nationals found in violation would, in addition to the financial penalty, be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for ten years.

The ministry also confirmed that a financial penalty of up to SR100,000 would be imposed on anyone who transported holders of visit visas or attempted to transport them with the intent of bringing them to the city of Makkah or the holy sites during the same period.

The ministry added it would request the competent court to confiscate any land transport vehicle proven to have been used for this purpose if owned by the transporter, an accomplice or any party found to be involved.

In previous years, emergency rooms in Makkah hospitals were often overwhelmed with medical cases involving individuals who entered the city without valid Hajj permits. Many lacked access to official accommodation and transportation, resulting in overcrowding not only in emergency facilities but also in the Grand Mosque and the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat — areas whose capacity is topographically constrained.

Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. In previous seasons, illegal pilgrims strained logistical operations, including food distribution, transportation schedules and accommodation management.

Indian couple Altaf Hussein and his wife Farhana told Arab News that they were pleased with the running of this year’s Hajj.

“I am happy with their management,” Hussein said. Farhana added that it was her first time performing Hajj and that it was unlike what she had heard about.

“From day one in Makkah, I am so happy and thankful to Allah the Almighty, and may Allah keep the two holy mosques’ management prosper,” she said.

Marwa Al-Said, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that this year’s Hajj felt “especially exceptional” with unauthorized pilgrims barred from entering Makkah.

“I would like to thank you all. The arrangements you are applying this year are truly different,” she said. “I feel comfortable — there is no hardship, no fear and none of the worries we usually hear about during Hajj. It is, seriously speaking, real security.”

According to an official at Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital in Arafat, the one-day facility — which in previous years typically received hundreds of patients during the Hajj season — had recorded only two emergency cases as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.

 


Saudi, Islamic leaders exchange Eid Al-Adha greetings

Updated 19 min 48 sec ago
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Saudi, Islamic leaders exchange Eid Al-Adha greetings

  • King, crown prince receive telegrams, calls from around Arab world
  • Four-day festival begins on Friday

RIYADH: The leadership of Saudi Arabia on Thursday received telegrams from the heads of several Islamic countries on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent their own goodwill messages, wishing Islamic leaders progress and prosperity for the festival.

The crown prince on Thursday also received a telephone call from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Muslims worldwide will begin the four-day celebration of Eid Al-Adha on Friday. The holiday occurs in the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, where 1.4 million pilgrims this week began their rituals.


Pilgrims commend Saudi Arabia’s care, organization

Pilgrims praised the generous care they received from their arrival in Saudi Arabiba until reaching the holy sites. (SPA)
Updated 32 min 56 sec ago
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Pilgrims commend Saudi Arabia’s care, organization

  • This year, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program is hosting in excess of 2,400 pilgrims from more than 100 countries

ARAFAT: Several guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah expressed deep emotions as they stood on the plains of Arafat, saying that chanting the Talbiyah and supplicating were among the most profound moments of their lives.

They praised the generous care they received from their arrival in the Kingdom until reaching the holy sites, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Pilgrim Mohammed Amer, from New Zealand, said: “Arafat Day is extraordinary in every detail; a moment of serenity and peace. I never imagined experiencing it with such honor, organization and care.”

Pilgrims praised the generous care they received from their arrival in Saudi Arabiba until reaching the holy sites. (SPA)

He commended the Kingdom and its leadership for facilitating the rituals and ensuring every pilgrim’s comfort, the SPA reported.

Pilgrim Sameh Abu Baker, from Palestine, appreciated the services and exceptional organization of pilgrim movement.

He said: “The emotions on this great day are indescribable. Joy fills our hearts as we see pilgrims responding in unison. These moments will remain etched in memory.”

This year, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program is hosting in excess of 2,400 pilgrims from more than 100 countries, reinforcing the Kingdom’s global mission to serve the two holy mosques and pilgrims.

 


Celebrities join millions on a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Hajj journey

Updated 44 min 36 sec ago
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Celebrities join millions on a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Hajj journey

  • Many celebrities join millions of Muslims worldwide traveling to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform Hajj

RIYADH: Every year, many celebrities join millions of Muslims worldwide traveling to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform Hajj — a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for affluent Muslims. This year is no different.

Among those performing Hajj this year are Zimbabwean motivational speaker and Islamic scholar Ismail ibn Musa Menk, known as Mufti Menk; internationally famed South African chef Hamzah Saeed; Egyptian singer and composer Ahmed Saad; and Pakistani actor Malik Aqeel.

Menk posted on X: “As I embark on my journey for the Hajj after 24 years, I seek the forgiveness of Allah for my shortcomings and ask you to forgive me too. Hajj is meant to purify us and wipe away our sins. May Allah make me a better person, closer to Him and worthy of His Mercy! Aameen.”

In another post, he said: “Almighty. Grant us the strength to give up something for Your sake. Help us understand the true meaning of sacrifice. May we achieve the benefits of these ten days & may You accept the sincere efforts of those making Hajj.”

Saeed also expressed his anticipation on Instagram, seeking forgiveness and hoping Allah accepts his prayers and guides him on this blessed journey, one of Islam’s five pillars.

Quoting Qur’an 2:158, he wrote: “Surely, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are symbols of Allah. Whoever performs Hajj or Umrah will find no sin in walking between the two. May Allah accept and bring everyone to His House, the Kaaba.”

Shaykh Sulaimaan M. Ravat, a distinguished South African scholar, shared Hajj snapshots on X, including an emotional conversation with Saeed during his first visit to the holy cities.

“I am the first person from my family to visit Haramain,” Saeed said.

On Instagram, he celebrity chef posted a video from Madinah: “Words can’t describe having experienced and seeing all historical places and to learn stories about them with learned scholars one on one, stay tuned as will be taking you on Mount Uhud journey.”

In an emotional post on X, Egyptian singer Saad shared a video from the Grand Mosque reciting the Qur’an.

Pakistani Cinema, a popular TikTok page, shared a clip of Aqeel in Saudi Arabia performing Hajj, reciting a beautiful na’at — poetry praising Prophet Muhammad.


Advanced tech enhances Hajj crowd management

Updated 05 June 2025
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Advanced tech enhances Hajj crowd management

  • Tools help monitor and analyze human and vehicular movement to enhance crowd management efficiency

ARAFAT: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, in cooperation with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, is using high-resolution satellite imagery, geospatial artificial intelligence and real-time data during the Hajj season.

These tools help monitor and analyze human and vehicular movement to enhance crowd management efficiency, with the analysis covering entry points to Makkah to observe vehicle flow and peak times.

They also track crowd density around the Grand Mosque and analyze pilgrimage routes to predict mobility patterns and congestion, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The technology supports immediate decision-making by providing accurate data and improving crowd distribution. It also ensures safe mobility and enhances coordination among operational teams on the ground.

The collaboration presents an advanced model for using geospatial technologies, helping improve safety and increase field operation efficiency during Hajj.