First Moroccan pilgrims arrive in Jeddah through Makkah Route Initiative

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Moroccan pilgrims breeze through the immigration line at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, thanks to the Makkah Route Initiative. (SPA)
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Updated 27 June 2022
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First Moroccan pilgrims arrive in Jeddah through Makkah Route Initiative

  • Morocco is the fifth country to participate in the Makkah Route Initiative, after Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah received its first Moroccan pilgrims through the Makkah Route Initiative.

They departed from the Makkah Route hall at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca and were greeted by Moroccan Consul General Ibrahim Ajouli, Col. Suleiman Mohammed Al-Yusuf, and representatives from the initiative at KAIA.

The Makkah Route Initiative was launched for the first time this year in Morocco, adding to the four countries already participating in the project: Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.




A Moroccan pilgrim gets gets "processed" without hassle at the immigration desk of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)

It aims to simplify procedures for pilgrims by issuing e-visas, completing passport procedures at the airport of the country of departure following the completion of health requirements, and dealing with luggage procedures, transport, and accommodation.

Upon arrival, pilgrims directly move to buses transporting them to their accommodation in Makkah and Madinah while authorities deliver their luggage to their lodgings.

Serving pilgrims is one of the Interior Ministry's programs contributing toward Vision 2030.

The initiative was first launched in 2019 in a few airports and expanded this year, saving pilgrims up to 12 hours upon arrival at Saudi airports.


Crown prince donates SR1bn for Saudi housing projects

Updated 6 sec ago
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Crown prince donates SR1bn for Saudi housing projects

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged an SR1 billion ($266 million) donation on Monday to support housing projects for Saudi beneficiaries.

The donation at his own private expense to the National Development Housing Foundation aims to help beneficiaries achieve home ownership.

It reflects the prince’s “continuous attention and support for providing a decent life for citizens, by supporting the initiatives and projects aimed at providing housing for them in various regions of the Kingdom,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The crown prince’s directive states that the housing projects designated for donation be completed within a period not exceeding 12 months, and that they are implemented by national companies.

He also ordered authorities to submit monthly reports on the progress of home ownership, in order to ensure the handover of all housing units within one year.


Mangrove scheme to plant 3m trees in Jubail

Updated 28 April 2025
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Mangrove scheme to plant 3m trees in Jubail

RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Maaden, have launched an initiative to plant 3 million mangrove trees in the Jubail Marine Protected Area.

It supports the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 to enhance coastal vegetation and preserve biodiversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The project aims to rehabilitate degraded habitats and strengthen the role of mangrove trees in carbon sequestration, as they are among the most efficient plants in storing carbon dioxide.

This helps combat climate change, protect coastal areas from erosion and provide safe environments for marine species reproduction, the SPA reported.

Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, highlighted the organization’s commitment to protecting ecosystems and expanding vegetation cover.

These efforts align with the Saudi Green Initiative’s target of planting 10 billion trees, including more than 100 million mangroves along Saudi coasts, reinforcing the Kingdom’s global environmental leadership, he said.


Saudi FM discusses US-Iran talks with Iranian counterpart

Updated 28 April 2025
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Saudi FM discusses US-Iran talks with Iranian counterpart

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi the latest developments in US-Iran talks via a phone call, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on X. 

Prince Faisal received a phone call Monday from Araghchi during which they discussed the third round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, which was held Saturday in the Omani capital Muscat.

The ministers also discussed bilateral ties and issues of common interest, the ministry statement added. 

 


Thousands of refugees in Jordan’s Zaatari camp receive treatment from KSrelief in March

Updated 28 April 2025
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Thousands of refugees in Jordan’s Zaatari camp receive treatment from KSrelief in March

  • Thousands seen in Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan by KSrelief healthcare volunteers

RIYADH: Thousands of people in the Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan received healthcare services in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Of the 8,428 patients seen by KSrelief carers, general medicine clinics treated 2,657 patients, while the internal medicine clinic dealt with 454 patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

The pediatric clinics received 668 patients, and the dental clinic attended to 542 patients.

Additionally, the two gynecology clinics welcomed 649 women, while the ear, nose and throat clinic treated 210 patients.

The ophthalmology clinic saw 242 patients and the cardiology clinic attended to 64 patients.

The diagnostic radiology clinic served 123 patients and the dermatology clinic treated 133 patients.

Moreover, the rehabilitation medicine clinic assisted 106 patients.
Throughout the month, 7,204 laboratory tests were conducted for 814 patients, and 701 imaging procedures, including X-rays and ultrasounds, were performed for 627 patients. The vaccination clinic administered 487 vaccines.

There were 241 health education sessions, both individual and group, and 411 physical therapy sessions were conducted.

The pharmacy handled 5,212 prescriptions during this period.

 


KSrelief team perform 11 cochlear implant procedures on children in Tunisia

The procedures, carried out by 10 medical volunteers, were part of the “Saudi Hearing” volunteer program. (SPA)
Updated 28 April 2025
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KSrelief team perform 11 cochlear implant procedures on children in Tunisia

  • Speech and language rehabilitation services were also provided for 11 children

RIYADH: A volunteer medical team from the Saudi aid agency KSrelief performed 11 cochlear implant operations on children in Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Speech and language rehabilitation services were also provided for 11 children, and 11 educational sessions were organized for the children’s families, benefiting 22 individuals, according to the report.

The procedures, carried out by 10 medical volunteers, were part of the “Saudi Hearing” volunteer program for cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation in Tunisia.