The Malaysian prime minister also praised the services provided by the Kingdom to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
Updated 28 February 2023
Arab News
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and his accompanying delegation met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and issues related to the quota for Hajj and Umrah. They also discussed initiatives that can be implemented to improve cooperation in tourism, education, investment and trade.
The Malaysian prime minister also praised the services provided by the Kingdom to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Recently, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a program to train the leaders of foreign Hajj pilgrim groups before their arrival in the Kingdom.
The first session was held in Tabung Haji, Kuala Lumpur, and was attended by more than 30 group leaders.
The aim of the program is to improve the quality of services for pilgrims, facilitate their trips and enrich their religious and cultural experiences, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The training session was held on the sidelines of Al-Rabiah’s official visit to Malaysia, accompanied by a delegation from government agencies and the Saudi private sector.
Further sessions will be organized in other countries before the start of this year’s Hajj season.
The training program includes a detailed explanation of pilgrims’ trips and covers all aspects of performing Hajj and crowd management skills.
Festive preparations for Eid Al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia get underway
Crowds gather at shopping centers and markets for last-minute purchases ahead of holiday
Officials carry out wide-ranging preparations of holy sites as worshippers get ready for Eid prayers
Updated 7 sec ago
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: With the holy month of Ramadan drawing to a close, preparations for Eid Al-Fitr celebrations and the week-long holiday are underway in Saudi Arabia.
Mosques across the Kingdom are preparing for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer and crowds can be seen gathering in shopping centers to buy clothing, sweets, and toys for the annual celebration.
As Eid draws near, families are gearing up for the big occasion.
“We are a few days away from Eid Al-Fitr, the week-long celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and religious introspection, and preparations have already begun for the annual celebration,” said Abdulaziz Ali Saleh, an Eid shopper in Dheera Market, Riyadh.
He added that an important part of Eid shopping is preparing the dresses and thobes that will be worn at gatherings hosted by his family.
“New clothes are a big tradition on Eid Al-Fitr, so we go to shops, choose some really nice fabrics, and get the outfits for us, which we wear when we wake up on the day of Eid. We also buy sweets and chocolates for the kids,” said Rumana Shahid, a homemaker in Riyadh.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure the readiness of mosques and open-air prayer areas for Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
“It’s the time for reconnection, feasting to celebrate the culmination of the fasting month and celebration with families and friends. The focus of this annual big day is on maintaining and nourishing family ties and reaching out to our most beloved people,” she added.
With the shopping malls bustling with crowds for Eid, Manal Al-Harbi, a Riyadh resident, said: “People, along with their family and children, flock to shopping centers for new garments, chocolates and other Eid gifts to be shared with their loved ones on the Eid Al-Fitr, the most celebratory occasion in the Islamic calendar.
“I visited some shopping malls in the city today and last night, and I found them crowded with people busy in last-minute Eid shopping.
“You will see the Eid spirit here everywhere you go during the night. The streets decorated with colorful lights at night are going to be more busy and everything that is dull during the day will come to life at night, ahead of the biggest celebration in the Islamic calendar,” she added.
Official preparations have also begun to prepare places of worship for the holiday.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has undertaken extensive preparations at mosques and open-air prayer areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported
Across the country, meticulous cleaning and sterilization has taken place to maintain a hygienic atmosphere within these sacred spaces.
Furthermore, maintenance has been conducted on electrical systems, air-conditioning units, and audio equipment, guaranteeing optimal functionality and comfort for those performing prayers.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance’s Madinah branch has finalized preparations for Eid prayer, equipping 925 mosques and open prayer halls across the region.
Field inspections and maintenance have ensured the venues are ready for an influx of worshippers.
The Eid prayer will commence 15 minutes after sunrise, according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar.
First air evacuation performed after Grand Mosque medical facilities upgraded
Updated 45 min 47 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has carried out the first air medical evacuation from the Grand Mosque in Makkah after the opening of two new air ambulance helipads.
A patient suffering from chest pain was treated at the Al Haram Emergency Hospital before being rushed by helicopter to King Abdullah Medical City for further treatment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia recently improved its emergency healthcare response capabilities with the two new helipads in preparation for an influx of pilgrims.
Air ambulances will operate around the clock, providing continuous support in transporting patients to hospitals within minutes.
A new specialist hospital also opened in the Grand Mosque to provide onsite care.
The new facilities will alleviate capacity issues at Islam’s holiest site, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
“Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of pilgrims … we expand services for pilgrims with both scale and speed,” Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said.
“This initiative ensures that all patients can receive the highest level of care at one of the world’s holiest and most visited sites,” Al-Jalajel said.
“By transferring patients to hospitals based on their specific needs, we continue to improve health outcomes for pilgrims with both scale and speed.”
The helicopters will be able to transport patients to hospitals in the local area and beyond for specialist treatment.
Additional helicopters can be deployed at short notice in busier periods.
Saudi authorities conducted an air ambulance landing drill at the mosque’s eastern runway, ahead of the helipads opening.
The Al-Haram Emergency Hospital is a new specialist medical facility inside the Grand Mosque.
It will have state-of-the-art medical technology and highly trained healthcare professionals, according to the Ministry of Health.
It includes an intensive care unit, a laboratory for conducting medical tests, a radiology department, and an on-site pharmacy.
The hospital also has dedicated areas for critical and rapid emergencies, respiratory emergencies, an emergency observation unit, and an isolation unit for infectious diseases.
King Salman Royal Reserve marks Saudi Green Initiative anniversary with 3 million trees
Updated 56 min 41 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The second anniversary of the Saudi Green Initiative highlighted the efforts of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority to protect the environment and restore ecological balance.
The authority has launched field initiatives, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation programs, restoring over 700,000 hectares of land, planting 3 million trees and distributing 4 tonnes of seeds with help from more than 11,000 volunteers.
The SGI was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, prime minister and chairman of the Higher Committee for the SGI, in 2021. It aims to unite community efforts in implementing effective and measurable actions for environmental protection, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The authority has worked to protect vegetation cover from vehicle damage, educated the community about the importance of restoring vegetation and safeguarding the environment, and promoted land sustainability to create safe habitats for wildlife.
Additionally, it has shared awareness messages with local communities about the impacts and seriousness of logging practices.
Thursday’s celebrations highlighted the efforts of the SGI to increase environmental awareness across the Kingdom and motivate people to play their part in securing a healthier future for future generations.
The program also seeks to bind sustainable programs with the nation’s broader green objectives, such as reducing toxic emissions, improving afforestation and land restoration, and preserving land and marine ecosystems.
President Trump welcomes Saudi ambassador to White House iftar
President Trump tells iftar guests that people around the world want peace
Updated 28 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, received a personal welcome from President Trump at the White House iftar on Thursday.
During his opening speech, the American president said: “Every day we are keeping our promises to the Muslim community. My administration is engaged in relentless diplomacy to forge a lasting peace in the Middle East, building on the historic Abraham Accords which everyone said would be impossible … We’re all looking for peace for the entire world.”
He added: “As we approach the end of (the) Islamic holy month of Ramadan, we’re also deeply honored to be joined by many of the international friends and partners including the Ambassador from Saudi Arabia to the United States, a very, very special woman, Princess Rema — princess, thank you, thank you, princess.”
The princess was among several ambassadors from Arab countries, including the UAE, Egypt and Jordan.
Later, posting on X, the princess thanked Trump and said: “Honored to attend the iftar dinner hosted by @POTUS. Grateful for his kind invitation and thoughtful gesture toward the Muslim community. It’s a testament to the spirit of friendship and cooperation that brings our nations together.”
Honored to attend the Iftar dinner hosted by @POTUS. Grateful for his kind invitation and thoughtful gesture toward the Muslim community. It’s a testament to the spirit of friendship and cooperation that brings our nations together. pic.twitter.com/aNTawbeMQu
Saudi minister awards ICDO medal to acting representative of the National Guard
Updated 28 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, minister of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, awarded acting representative of the National Guard, Maj. Gen. Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al-Harbi with the Knight Medal of the International Civil Defence Organization.
The Knight Medal is a prestigious honor awarded by the ICDO in recognition of exceptional service to the organization and outstanding contributions to advancing civil defence efforts on a global scale.
