Madinah welcomes almost 313,000 Hajj pilgrims

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Updated 29 June 2022
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Madinah welcomes almost 313,000 Hajj pilgrims

  • Saudi Arabia is allowing up to 1 million people to join the Hajj this year

RIYADH: Almost 313,000 pilgrims from around the world had arrived Madinah by Wednesday to perform Hajj, according to official figures.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that 252,140 people had landed at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport since the start of the first Hajj flights, while 60,731 pilgrims had arrived in the city by land.

A total of 221,267 pilgrims had already left Madinah and were on their way to the holy sites in Makkah, while 91,689 were still in the city, it said.

Authorities in Madinah are working around the clock to ensure the best experience for visitors, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia is allowing up to 1 million people to join the Hajj this year, welcoming foreign pilgrims for the first time in two years after COVID-19 restrictions meant the annual pilgrimage was limited to residents of the Kingdom.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques recently launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season. It confirmed its readiness to receive pilgrims, saying it had mobilized 10,000 workers to serve them.


Saudi leadership congratulates Kuwait on success of 26th Gulf Cup

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 19 sec ago
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Saudi leadership congratulates Kuwait on success of 26th Gulf Cup

  • The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup ended on Saturday with Bahrain defeating Oman 2-1 in the final in Kuwait City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of congratulations to the emir of Kuwait for his country’s success in organizing the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup ended on Saturday with Bahrain defeating Oman 2-1 in the final in Kuwait City.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent similar cables of congratulations to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, wishing the country continued progress and prosperity.


Saudi Arabia gifts 100 tonnes of dates to Pakistan

Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia gifts 100 tonnes of dates to Pakistan

  • Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered 100 tonnes of dates as a gift from the Kingdom to Pakistan.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki presented the gift to the Pakistani side on behalf of KSrelief at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Malki thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their humanitarian efforts and support to countries worldwide.

The director general of the military wing of Pakistan’s Cabinet Division, Brig. Alamgeer Ayub, also expressed thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the gift.

He said that it reflects the deep and enduring fraternal ties between the two countries.

Ayub highlighted that the Kingdom has consistently supported the Pakistani people during times of crisis.


Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia

Updated 05 January 2025
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Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese Motoko Katakura Foundation for Desert Culture in Riyadh on Sunday.

Jasser bin Sulaiman Al-Harbash, CEO of the Heritage Commission, and Hiroshi Nawata, chairman of the Motoko Katakura Foundation, agreed to collaborate in the cultural heritage sector.

The Japanese foundation is named after Motoko Katakura, an anthropologist who studied Bedouin communities in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.

The MoU seeks to enhance research on cultural heritage, covering both tangible and intangible aspects, such as traditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Motoko Katakura Foundation will hold seminars about its work preserving the desert culture and the archeological sites of Al-Dafi Port and Mardouma in the area of Jubail, eastern Saudi Arabia.

The Heritage Commission will also benefit from the Japanese experience in research and documentation, involving local communities to preserve heritage and showcase the richness of Saudi desert culture, SPA added.


Saudi project clears 1,151 Houthi mines in Yemen

Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,151 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. (Masam)
Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi project clears 1,151 Houthi mines in Yemen

  • The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,151 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 32 anti-tank mines, 1,115 unexploded ordnances and four explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 477,583 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


The allure of Al-Qahar: Adventure awaits in Jazan’s rugged terrain

The Al-Qahar Mountains are among the Kingdom’s most prominent natural landmarks. (SPA)
Updated 05 January 2025
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The allure of Al-Qahar: Adventure awaits in Jazan’s rugged terrain

  • Region is distinguished destination for nature enthusiasts

RIYADH: The Al-Qahar Mountains, located in the Al-Raith Governorate in the northeastern part of Jazan, are a stunning testament to nature’s beauty, the area’s rich history, and the allure of adventure.

The mountains are among the Kingdom’s most prominent natural landmarks, rising over 2,000 meters above sea level, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They are part of the Sarawat range, which stretches along the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Al-Qahar Mountains, a distinguished destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts, are characterized by their unique terrain, including high rocky peaks and deep valleys such as Wadi Lajab. The latter offers a panoramic scene in which vertical rock formations meet flowing water, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

The Jazan region is adorned with seasonal vegetation, including juniper and acacia trees, which enhance its exceptional beauty, particularly during the rainy season, the SPA added.

Al-Qahar Mountains also host ancient rock carvings that reflect the civilizations that once inhabited the area. Studies suggest that the mountains served as a significant trade route for caravans in the past, underscoring their economic and social importance.

The name Al-Qahar, which means dominance, is attributed to the rugged nature of the terrain, which has inspired local residents to create stories and legends passed down through generations.

The authorities in Jazan have implemented comprehensive development and service projects in the Al-Raith Governorate, providing promising investment opportunities in the tourism sector to harness the area’s natural and historic assets.

This development is not limited to Al-Raith but extends to all governorates in the region to support and enhance the infrastructure of the tourism industry.

The tourist attractions of Al-Qahar Mountains captivate both local residents and visitors throughout the year.

According to Ahmad Al-Wabrani, these main attractions include Wadi Lajab, hanging gardens, and massive caves that appeal to adventure and camping enthusiasts.

Faisal Al-Raithi has highlighted the strong bond between locals and the Al-Qahar Mountains, praising the efforts of the Heritage Commission in documenting rock carvings and developing the area.

Al-Qahar Mountains stand amid untouched nature, offering a vibrant natural landscape and serving as a testament to the region’s history and culture.

Visitors can enjoy the region’s natural splendor and embark on unforgettable adventures in a serene atmosphere boasting awe-inspiring views that captivate the heart.