MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently organized a second training program to train workers to serve pilgrims from outside the Kingdom before they travel from their countries.
The program will improve the quality of service for pilgrims, facilitate their journeys, and enrich their religious and cultural experience, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The training program includes a detailed explanation of pilgrims’ trips, and covers all aspects of performing Hajj and crowd management skills.
Hilman Latief, general director of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia, told Arab News: “This year there will be 221,000 pilgrims journeying to Hajj, which requires tremendous management and preparation.”
He added that “we believe there is a true partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, working together to deliver a meaningful experience for Indonesian pilgrims.
“Maintaining high-quality standards from preparation to facilitation requires much planning; we have to be able to train and develop our staff, ensuring they are up to date with new regulations issued both in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“It is a great forward-thinking approach for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide additional training and induction to our staff. This effort has helped bridge cultural, language, and operational gaps. Identifying where improvements can be made and how we can bridge the missing links in understanding in advance.”
Latief highlighted the importance of strengthening commercial and educational relationships.
In 2013, Indonesia received the Best Pilgrims in the World Award, issued by the World Hajj and Umrah Convention. The country also has one of the strongest training, induction and preparatory programs, “and with a greater focus from Saudi Arabia, we believe it will make us even better,” Latief said.
Diet is a huge factor in pilgrim satisfaction, he added.
“Nusantara ingredients should be used, as many of our pilgrims are from villages on different islands. In Hajj, they should consider importing authentic Indonesian ingredients; this is good for service and trade.
“We must ensure prices remain as low as possible and affordable. We understand that prices will rise due to inflation and increases in fuel and other commodities. However, we need to do our best to keep prices within a budget that is acceptable for our pilgrims.”
He said: “Hajj is important to the Indonesian community. We have a long waiting list and are thinking about how to support the 5.3 million pilgrims in the coming decades. Increased facilities and possibilities for Hajj will help us in fulfilling the needs and desires of our registered pilgrims.
“Indonesia has increased its staff capacity and officers, and improved governance and transparency policies, as well as institutional capacities. We have genuine concerns that a large part of our society is aging and the majority of our Hajj enlistees are elderly, we must make a joint concerted effort to make sure more facilities are developed to support the elderly pilgrims.”
Hajj ministry holds training program for pilgrim leaders in Indonesia
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Hajj ministry holds training program for pilgrim leaders in Indonesia
- The program will improve the quality of service for pilgrims, facilitate their journeys, and enrich their religious and cultural experience
- Latief highlighted the importance of strengthening commercial and educational relationships
Orchestra celebrates soundtracks of popular video games at Saudi Arabia’s Ithra
- Concert features symphonic arrangements, in-game HD visuals
DHAHRAN: It is “game on” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture after it opened its doors to an event on Thursday.
The orchestral performance, which is being held nightly at the Ithra Theater — with two shows scheduled for Friday — celebrates the soundtracks of popular video games and attempts to breathe new life into them.
The concert features symphonic arrangements paired with in-game HD visuals and exclusive concept art from popular titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Assassin’s Creed, and The Witcher 3.
Sergey Smbatyan, founder of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the artistic director and principal conductor since 2005, was on hand to lend context and commentary between the scores on opening night.
He told the crowd before the show: “If you’re not a gamer, what I want you to do is to imagine that you’re in a museum — an art museum — but instead of a curator telling you about the images that you’re going to see on this huge screen, let these musicians tell you that exact story.
“Tonight there is no right time to clap; there is no wrong time to clap. If you hear something you like from these guys (gesturing to the orchestra behind him on stage), let us know.
“We're going to start off tonight with role-play games, or what are known as RPGs, where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. The game is focused on interactive storytelling, decision-making and strategy.”
Dhahran resident Paul Blay took his two daughters Sylvia, 11, and Celeste, 10, to the show.
Blay, who is a father of six, told Arab News: “I get emails about Ithra events and saw this one and I thought it would be fun for me and the girls to go to. Like with anyone that you love, I shared the things I love with them.”
The Blay family moved to the Kingdom last year and were keen to attend an event that merged gaming with music.
Celeste told Arab News: “I really like video game music; the music is really pretty and I like listening to that. It is kind of what motivated me to come here. And, also, my dad likes video games.”
The older Blay sisters have both taken music lessons and play multiple instruments, including the piano, the harp and the clarinet.
Their father said: “Some of the best music that’s being composed nowadays is for movies and video games. I expected it to be really high quality and good (at Ithra).”
The event featured music from Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed 2, among many others.
The last show takes place on April 5, with tickets starting at SR200 ($53), available at the venue or via the Ithra website.
Exhibition honoring Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated in Jeddah
- The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations
MAKKAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz launched the “Love of Khaled Al-Faisal” exhibition as part of Jeddah Season festivities.
The ceremony was attended by Prince Turki bin Faisal, alongside several relatives of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
The delegation toured the exhibition, housed at the Abadi Al-Johar area in Jeddah, which runs from April 3-8 and welcomes visitors daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The exhibition chronicles Prince Khaled’s life and contributions as a statesman, individual and poet through visual installations.
Saudi Arabia’s Hail poppy reserve attracts thousands of tourists
- Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors
HAIL: With its vibrant array of wildflowers framed by golden sand dunes and majestic mountains, the Poppy Reserve in Al-Khattah is one of the Hail region’s most captivating attractions.
Since opening in 2022, the reserve, which covers 10,000 sq. meters, has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign visitors, particularly during holidays, Eid and the spring season.
The attraction enchants guests with its sweeping fields of poppies, perfectly balanced in form and color. As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow over the landscape and create a natural wonder.
This striking beauty enhances the region’s reputation for breathtaking scenery and offers a unique experience.
Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Bologna Book Fair
- The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added
BOLOGNA: Saudi Arabia concluded its participation in the Bologna International Book Fair 2025, held in Bologna, Italy, from March 31 to April 3.
The event introduced visitors to Saudi heritage through a comprehensive cultural experience.
Bassam Al-Bassam, general manager of publishing at the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, said the commission organized various initiatives to enhance the publishing and translation industry in the Kingdom and showcase the Saudi cultural landscape.
The Saudi pavilion experienced significant engagement from publishers and international literary agencies, Al-Bassam added.
By participating in international book fairs, the Kingdom aims to enhance its cultural presence on a global scale and create new opportunities to promote Saudi culture both regionally and internationally.
Attempt to smuggle qat foiled in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan
- Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority
JAZAN: Saudi Border Guard land patrols in Farasan, Jazan, arrested three Yemenis for violating border security system regulations and attempting to smuggle 171 kg of qat.
Meanwhile, Border Guard land patrols in Al-Daer, Jazan, foiled an attempt to smuggle 45 kg of hashish. Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics were handed to the competent authority.
