As Hajj 2022 draws closer, Saudi diplomat cites efforts to provide the best possible service to all pilgrims

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The Indonesian pilgrims were presented flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival. (SPA)
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Indonesian pilgrims were presented flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival. (Supplied)
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Indonesia had the highest share of hajj permits reaching to 100,051 permits. (Supplied)
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Al-Thaqafi explained that the Indonesian people, in general, are known for being calm and respectful in their everyday lives, and this was reflected in their Hajj and Umrah trips. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 June 2022
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As Hajj 2022 draws closer, Saudi diplomat cites efforts to provide the best possible service to all pilgrims

  • The first group of pilgrims to arrive ahead of this year’s pilgrimage was from Indonesia, which has been allocated 100,051 Hajj permits, the largest number granted to any single country
  • 1 million pilgrims will take part in this year’s Hajj, which begins next month and is the first that foreign pilgrims have been able to attend since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

MAKKAH: With the start of this year’s Hajj just a month away, the Saudi ambassador to Indonesia, Essam Al-Thaqafi, said the Saudi government is working hard to ensure it provides the best possible service to pilgrims from all over the world. This year’s Hajj is the first that foreign pilgrims have been able to attend since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.

The envoy added that preparations by staff at the Saudi embassy in Jakarta have also been top notch. It was previously announced that Indonesia has been allocated 100,051 Hajj permits, the largest number granted to any single country.




Saudi ambassador to Indonesia Essam Al-Thaqafi stressed that the Hajj preparations made by the Saudi embassy in Jakarta were top-notch. (Supplied)

Saudi Authorities announced in April that after two years of strict pandemic restrictions, 1 million pilgrims will be able to join the Hajj pilgrimage this year. This is a big increase over last year, when it was restricted to 60,000 pilgrims, all of whom resided within the Kingdom, but still well below the pre-pandemic total of 2.5 million in 2019.

Al-Thaqafi said the people of Indonesia were overjoyed when the Kingdom announced the expansion of Hajj numbers this year as the pandemic recedes. His embassy is coordinating with the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, he added, to ensure that the journey is as easy as possible for Indonesian pilgrims. Last weekend, he noted, the first group of foreign pilgrims to arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj came from Indonesia.




Indonesian pilgrims were presented flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival. (Supplied)

Al-Thaqafi also praised the Makkah Route initiative, and the assistance provided to it by the Saudi embassy in Jakarta. The initiative was launched by the Saudi Ministry of Interior in 2019 in five countries — Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Morocco and Bangladesh — to make it as easy as possible for pilgrims to complete the required checks and procedures, and make the journey from their home countries to their Hajj accommodation. More than 60 Saudi officials are working at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Indonesia to provide services for pilgrims, the envoy said.

Some Indonesians have to wait for more than 30 years to get a permit for Hajj, said Al-Thaqafi, which means the pilgrimage is truly the journey of a lifetime. He added that the Indonesian people are generally known for being calm and respectful, and this is reflected in the way they conduct themselves during Hajj and Umrah trips.




Indonesian pilgrims were presented flowers, dates and Zamzam water bottles upon arrival. (Supplied)

“We all saw the arrival of the first batch of Indonesian pilgrims to Madinah a few days ago, and how wonderfully organized they were,” he said. Al-Thaqafi also commended the Saudi workers who will serve pilgrims during Hajj.

The flight carrying the first batch of 358 Indonesian pilgrims arrived on June 4, carrying 358 pilgrims. They were greeted by Mohammed Al-Bijawe, the undersecretary for visit affairs at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Abdul Aziz Ahmed, the Indonesian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and other officials. Upon arrival the pilgrims were presented with flowers, dates and bottles of Zamzam water.

 


Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

Updated 10 sec ago
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Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

  • Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
  • Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.

Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.

Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.

The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.

Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.

Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.


Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

Updated 27 November 2024
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Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.

Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.

The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.

Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.

The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.


Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.

The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.

KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.

Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.

This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.

In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.

The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.

The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.


Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

People celebrate after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect in Sidon, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. AP
Updated 33 min 18 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

  • Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made to achieve the ceasefire, foreign ministry statement said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made in this regard and hopes that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and the safe return of the displaced to their homes,” the statement said. 

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah started on Wednesday morning after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the US and France.

The agreement ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in years.


Fam Foods, Kobe Beef Association partner to launch halal-certified beef in Saudi Arabia

Updated 27 November 2024
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Fam Foods, Kobe Beef Association partner to launch halal-certified beef in Saudi Arabia

  • As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh

RIYADH: The introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef to the Saudi market was marked by an exclusive evening at the residence of Morino Yasunari, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The event was hosted by Fam Foods, the only authorized reseller in the Kingdom, in collaboration with the Kobe Beef Association and highlighted the deepening cultural and culinary partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Guests enjoyed a unique atmosphere that blended heritage and contemporary celebration. They were welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee, a gesture reflecting the nations’ shared value of hospitality, while the decor also combined their traditions.

They were also treated to a culinary journey featuring authentic Japanese techniques, including teppanyaki preparations demonstrating the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship behind Kobe beef. The renowned Kimono Butcher captivated the audience with a masterful demonstration of beef cutting, symbolizing the precision and dedication synonymous with Japanese culinary heritage.

Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, chairwoman of Fam Foods, said during her address: “This evening celebrates more than just the introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef; it embodies the rich culinary and cultural partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia. At Fam Foods, we are committed to innovating while safekeeping tradition — together, we are transforming premium dining experiences in the Kingdom.”

Shinnosuke Murakami, president of the Sanda Meat Center Export Expansion Consortium which oversees the export of Kobe from Japan, said: “Kobe beef represents the pinnacle of Japanese wagyu beef, renowned worldwide for its exceptional flavor, rich aroma and unparalleled tenderness.

“We are deeply grateful to His Royal Highness Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Her Highness Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, and the Fam Foods team for their ongoing support in this partnership and providing us the opportunity to share this wonderful delicacy with the people of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.”

Traditional performances also added depth to the evening, connecting attendees to the cultural roots of Japan, with the serene melodies of a koto performance and the elegance of a flute recital bringing the event to life.

As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh. The venture is set to redefine Japanese dining in Saudi Arabia, offering an elevated culinary experience that brings the artistry of Japanese beef to the forefront.