RIYADH: Nearly 5.7 million violators of residency, work and border security systems have been arrested in the Kingdom, according to an official report.
Since the campaign began on Nov. 15, 2017 — and up to June 16, 2021 — there have been 5,651,619 offenders, including 4,323,083 for violating residency regulations, 803,186 for labor violations and 525,350 for border violations.
The report said that 116,930 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom: 43 percent were Yemeni citizens, 54 percent were Ethiopians and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
In addition, 9,550 people were arrested for trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 8,241 were arrested for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
Some 2,769 Saudis were arrested for harboring violators against local laws, of whom six were being detained pending the completion of procedures.
Immediate penalties were imposed against 715,216 offenders, 913,306 were transferred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,050,132 were transferred to complete their travel reservations, and 1,559,919 were deported.
Nearly 5.7 million held for residency, labor violations across Saudi Arabia
https://arab.news/vwqjp
Nearly 5.7 million held for residency, labor violations across Saudi Arabia
- Some 2,769 Saudis were arrested for harboring violators against local laws, of whom six were being detained pending the completion of procedures
Film Commission showcases cultural power of Saudi cinema at London festival
- Event is a global platform that brings together professionals and experts from various creative sectors through various events
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Film Commission is participating in the first European edition of the SXSW Festival, which is being held in London from June 2-7, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event is a global platform that brings together professionals and experts from various creative sectors through events such as panel discussions, musical and comedy performances, film and TV screenings, exhibitions, competitions, and networking opportunities.
As part of its participation the commission will screen a selection of short Saudi films under the Saudi Film Nights initiative, aiming to showcase the Kingdom’s storytelling and promote national talent to international audiences.
It is also organizing a panel called “Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality,” which will explore cinema’s role in shaping national identity, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting local content as a form of soft power.
The commission will highlight the Kingdom’s cinematic achievements through an exhibition at the country’s pavilion featuring films that have sold more than 250,000 tickets, participated in top international festivals, or won global awards — underscoring the growth and international rise of the Saudi film industry.
The commission forms a part of the Saudi pavilion alongside other creative sector entities, including the Music Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission, presenting a broad view of the Kingdom’s cultural diversity.
This participation reaffirms the Film Commission’s commitment to expanding Saudi Arabia’s global presence, empowering creative talent, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in cinema.
Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj infrastructure, honors security forces
- 100-bed field hospital opens
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has opened a field hospital in Arafat, which is operated by the ministry’s General Administration of Medical Services.
The 100-bed facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by specialized teams to deliver rapid emergency care for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdulaziz has also launched a smart health bracelet system for security personnel, enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs and giving automatic alerts to command centers to enhance medical readiness.
The minister also attended a ceremony honoring Hajj Security Forces and was briefed on operational readiness during field exercises featuring specialized vehicles, aviation units, and crowd control systems.
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, said the Saudi leadership had mobilized all resources to ensure the safety of pilgrims, noting strong coordination had led to outstanding results.
The minister also reviewed infrastructure upgrades at the holy sites, including phase two of the Mashaer pathway which boasts eco-friendly rubber flooring to ease movement and reduce heat.
He inspected new shading and cooling systems at Namirah Mosque designed to improve comfort during prayers.
His tour concluded at Mina’s new emergency hospital, which has expanded urgent care capacity, with its services meeting global standards.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Hajj Media Operations Center with Salman Al-Dossary, the minister of media, and received briefings on unified media coverage. He viewed the Hajj media hub’s Hajj Window and Transformation Exhibition, which showcases the services of 11 public and private entities.
Students organize science fair to bridge STEM access in Saudi Arabia
- Two teens put together competition to allow international students in the Kingdom to compete
- ‘We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,’ says school superintendent
DHAHRAN: Two years ago, when freshmen Jungho Kang and Raahim Lone met during a group math project at the American School Dhahran, they quickly bonded over a shared love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) — and the realization that they wanted to be part of a science-centric competitive space.
But as non-Saudis in the Kingdom, no such space existed for them. So, they built one from scratch.
Now in 10th grade, the two co-founded SANES (Saudi Arabian National Engineering Symposium), a new, student-led one-day science fair that took place for the first time on Saturday at their school.
What began as an ambitious idea between classmates has since grown into a dynamic, Eastern Province-wide event that welcomed more than 60 participants from more than seven schools.
Lone, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Canada two years ago, said it took time to adjust to his new home — but building SANES with Kang has helped him find his footing.
Living in the same compound made collaboration easy. They found a sweet spot near their homes where they would regularly meet to brainstorm and plan the fair before heading home. It became their unofficial HQ.
They spent countless evenings after school refining their vision. “We spent freshman year working on it. I think this year it’s been more consistent so I guess you could say we’ve been working on it for two years, but we’ve actually been really working on it for one,” Lone told Arab News with a laugh.
From the start, their goal was clear: give all students living in the Kingdom — Saudi and non-Saudi — a chance to present their ideas, gain feedback, and learn from professionals.
“I really hope that every contestant just takes away something good and I hope they can learn something from these judges because we got really good judges — they’re all really experienced — and just presenting and communicating their ideas because that was our main goal from the very beginning,” Kang told Arab News.
The event featured two rounds of judging, with a panel made up of local and international experts.
Kang and Lone ensured the evaluation process was impartial, with teachers helping them filter initial submissions before handing them over to the judges.
They did not judge the final projects themselves but trusted the panel of experts to do the evaluating.
Behind the scenes, organizing SANES felt a bit like launching a startup, Lone said.
“We started cold emailing all organizations — universities, companies, organizations — we even got so far as having online pitches with some organizations, but that never really came into fruition.
“So then we kind of turned into our ISG school group when our teachers found out that we were doing such things, and our old superintendent brought us in for a meeting.”
With support from the International Schools Group, which runs five schools in the Eastern Province, the students booked their school campus as the venue, secured snacks, and assembled an impressive judging lineup.
First place went to students from British School Dhahran, while ISG Dammam students claimed second and third.
Kang, originally from South Korea, has lived in the Kingdom since he was four. He is especially drawn to mathematical research and is passionate about expanding access to science education. He co-founded SANES “to help students across KSA engage more freely in scientific research.”
When they started high school, they wanted to join a science fair but found they were not eligible for the Saudi competitions nor the international ones. So they made their own.
Hans Ott, director of teaching and learning at ISG, praised the initiative. “What’s exciting about today is that it was started by two of our students.”
“When they were 14, 15-year-old students, they said ‘we want a STEM competition in Saudi Arabia.’
“And they created an inclusive environment where international students, Saudi students — anyone in the Kingdom — had a place to showcase their talent and love and passion for STEM.”
Assistant principal Will McConnell, who helped mentor the students through the process, was especially proud. “The journey has been both inspiring and instructive. SANES began as a student-led vision, and watching it come to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” McConnell told Arab News.
“If students walk away feeling inspired, seen and empowered to pursue science and engineering further, then we’ve succeeded,” McConnell added.
Superintendent Rhonda Norris echoed his words. “Success from my perspective has already occurred. Our students had a vision based on their passion and interests and through the support of the leadership team and our community, they brought it to fruition.
“We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,” she said.
As for Kang and Lone? They are already thinking about what comes next. They hope to have the chance to go to college in the US, but in the meantime, with two more years of high school ahead, they are not slowing down — creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for their fellow students. They have already promised to “continue after we graduate, too.”
Saudi students tackle Hajj challenges with tech
- Musaed app concept highlights Kingdom’s youth-led innovation in service of pilgrims
RIYADH: A team of students at King Abdulaziz University has developed a mobile app designed to help Hajj pilgrims navigate their journey with ease, eliminating a common challenge faced during the intense pilgrimage: getting lost.
Led by student Hassan Al-Sulami, the team created the Musaed app, an interactive tool that can help pilgrims locate their camps and navigate crowded areas.
“The innovative idea aims to ease the pilgrims’ journey by presenting it at the upcoming Hajj and Umrah Conference, seeking a sponsor to adopt it,” Al-Sulami said. “We are working to integrate it into the Nusuk Haq Hajj app.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Although the app is still in its prototype phase and pending official approvals, the Musaed project reflects the creativity and technical potential of Saudi youth.
• Led by Saudi student Hassan Al-Sulami, the Musaed app is an interactive tool that can help pilgrims locate their camps and navigate crowded areas.
The app was born out of firsthand observation during the 2022 Hajj, when Al-Sulami and his team noticed many pilgrims struggling to find their tents, leading to missed rituals and logistical and transport delays.
Using technologies like the Internet of Things, Musaed enables pilgrims to identify their camp locations on an offline map after an initial download.
A standout feature is its use of the phone’s camera to identify the direction of the camp, similar to how one uses augmented-reality compass function to find the Qibla direction. The app’s concept also includes audio and visual directions that serve as a personal guide to help pilgrims navigate their surroundings.
The app will also provide suggested routes and available facilities, as well as a real-time alert feature that notifies users of congestion. A built-in contact feature allows direct communication with supervisors or relevant authorities, adding a layer of safety and assurance.
Although the app is still in its prototype phase and pending official approvals, the Musaed project reflects the creativity and technical potential of Saudi youth.
With more than 1 million pilgrims arriving each year, initiatives like Musaed offer scalable, tech-forward solutions that support Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving pilgrims with efficiency and care.
Makkah royal commission leads Saudi Arabia’s push to streamline Hajj operations
- Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said: “Our preparations aim to create an operational environment that empowers relevant authorities and facilitates the pilgrims’ journey”
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is rolling out a high-tech, data-driven operational system to improve the pilgrim experience during Hajj, led by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.
The initiatives emphasizes real-time coordination, smart mobility solutions and infrastructure enhancements to manage the flow of millions with greater speed, safety and efficiency, deploying cutting-edge technology and infrastructure improvements and operating on continuous assessment and gradual improvement, according to officials.
At the core of the plan is a shift from reactive approaches to proactive operations. Through continuous assessment and integrated digital tools, the commission empowers authorities and streamlines pilgrim services across holy sites to achieve rapid response and strengthen functional integration.
Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said: “Our preparations aim to create an operational environment that empowers relevant authorities and facilitates the pilgrims’ journey.”
Key elements include field operation rooms, backup buses and human-flow data analysis tools to guide resources and organize crowd movement, as well as electric scooter services and Makkah taxi services within carefully planned zones.
The Transport General Authority has implemented an advanced operational plan for the transport system during the Hajj season, facilitating the movement of more than 2.1 million pilgrims over a few days.
The plan includes several transport systems: Single-trip buses serving 427,433 with 9,094 buses; two-trip services for 209,656 pilgrims using 2,230 buses; a shuttle for 702,251 pilgrims using 4,980 buses; and the Mashaer Metro line serving 423,000 pilgrims.
To support this, the commission is overseeing key roadwork projects, including 1.7 km of the Second Ring Road with 208 meters of bridges and 3.35 km of service roads, as well as two phases of the Third Ring Road totaling more than 8 km, to reduce travel time and improve connectivity between Makkah and the Holy Sites.
The commission also oversees the Kingdom’s Project for the Utilization of Sacrificial Animals, also known as Adahi.
Recent efforts include equipping seven operational complexes over 1 million sq. m, processing more than 1.1 million animals, and expanding distribution to more than 30 countries via platforms such as Ehsan and Saudi Post. AI-powered systems track implementation and enhance efficiency.
The Business Intelligence Center and Makkah Urban Observatory support real-time decision-making and monitor demographic and spatial improvements.
Efforts for health and safety infrastructure include a 200-bed field hospital in Mina; 71 rapid intervention points; 15 mobile ambulance units; and 170,000 sq. m of shaded pedestrian pathways in Muzdalifah lined with 10,000 trees; 64 two-story restroom complexes, and 400 modern water coolers.
In central Makkah, more than 235,000 sq. m of sidewalks and 30,000 sq. m of shade have been added, along with prayer courtyards for 60,000 extra worshippers, all to improve mobility and spiritual access around the Grand Mosque.
Additional upgrades include multi-story tent systems, improved Miqat mosques, and expanded facilities at Al-Taneem and Al-Ji’ranah, enhancing the beginning stages of the pilgrimage.
The commission’s unified vision brings together more than 10 government agencies to support pilgrims logistically and elevate their overall experience through smart, coordinated planning.
