JEDDAH: King Salman issued a directive on Saturday that the Kingdom will host 1,300 Hajj pilgrims from more than 90 countries this year.
The pilgrims will be hosted as part of the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Hajj and Umrah, which covers the pilgrimage expenses of selected participants.
Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, said that the annual program, of which he is the general supervisor, reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Muslims and deepen its relations with other Islamic countries.
“The generous program, rolled out every year at the expense of the Saudi government, enables thousands of Muslims from all over the world to perform Hajj within an organized system that offers top-class services,” said Al-Asheikh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The ministry is coordinating with Saudi embassies and religious attaches abroad to select participants, facilitate visa procedures, and supervise the pilgrims’ journey from their point of departure to the completion of Hajj.
Earlier this month, King Salman issued a directive for the Kingdom to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has called on Muslims throughout Saudi Arabia to be on the lookout for the crescent moon at sunset on the 29th day of Dul Qaada, which falls on June 18. The crescent moon will signal the start of the month of Dul Hijjah. The court urged anyone who sights it to report to the nearest court.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense has intensified its inspections of pilgrims’ residences in Makkah. It conducted a thorough examination of elevators and escalators and verified emergency exit doors and the availability of secure gathering points outside the facilities to ensure the highest possible safety levels, according to the SPA.
Meanwhile, the first group of pilgrims from Senegal — 554 in total — have arrived in Makkah from Madinah and were received by a Hajj service provider for non-Arab Africans. Officials from the Senegalese Hajj Affairs Office expressed their appreciation to the Saudi government for the facilities provided to the pilgrims.
Omar Ahmed, a pilgrim from Egypt, told the SPA that the Kingdom does its best to serve Islam and Muslims and provide care for visitors to Makkah and Madinah.
Abbas Abdel Nour, a pilgrim from Algeria, also hailed the care and services provided to pilgrims.
The General Administration of Statistics, operating under the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, has increased its efforts to measure the satisfaction of visitors and pilgrims at the Grand Mosque via QR codes available in six languages at five stations.
Furthermore, the General Directorate of Health Affairs in the Al-Jouf region has announced that it will once again provide field teams during Hajj at Abu Ajram Center, one of the 14 points of entry to the Kingdom for pilgrims.
According to the Ministry of Health, these field teams have already provided health services to 5,314 pilgrims, including medical exams, vital-sign measurements, ambulatory services, transportation for elderly and sick individuals, dental treatment, X-rays, and the provision of medication.
KSA to host 1,300 Hajj pilgrims from 90 countries
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KSA to host 1,300 Hajj pilgrims from 90 countries
- Supreme Court calls on residents to look out for crescent moon on Sunday
- Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, said that the annual program reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Muslims and deepen its relations with other Islamic countries
Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon
- Explored collaborative efforts to address challenges facing Lebanese people and in broader region
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy to Lebanon, on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh.
The meeting focused on regional issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Both sides exchanged views on recent developments and explored collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the Lebanese people and the broader region, SPA added.
Also in attendance was Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lebanese Affairs, who contributed to the discussions.
Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Jordan’s Princess Majda
- Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said
- Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the king of Jordan after the passing of Princess Majda Raad, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Jordan’s King Abdullah attended the funeral of Princess Majda, the wife of Prince Raad bin Zeid, at the Royal Cemetery on Friday, The Jordan Times reported.
Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said. The Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.
New community initiative brings Saudi artisans together for ‘Year of Handicrafts’
- Workshops held for aspiring artisans and crafters
- Events will be held throughout the year
RIYADH: The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts launched a new community initiative on Saturday with a packed day of workshops and discussions with inspiring figures in the handicrafts field.
As 2025 kicks off with the Ministry of Culture labeling it the “Year of Handicrafts,” TRITA aims to bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with its “Wrth Community,” which will host several events through the year.
Nermeen Al-Naimi, an artisan at TRITA, told Arab News: “Today, the community of Wrth started, so that’s very good for artisans because we are looking for somewhere we can belong.
“Wrth is the place we belong now with this community, it’s more like a second house for us because we exchange experiences, we exchange techniques and tools and stuff like that. It’s a growing kind of family, so we’re happy that they made this step today, and we’re grateful.”
(AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
The six-hour event brought artisans at various levels and from various crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones.
Silversmiths Ayat Dhahi and Revan Abdulsabour shared their expertise on sculpting and formation, from design to implementation, while others, such as sculptor Helwa Al-Atawi, shared success stories of turning a passion into a career.
Jewelry designer Rughad Al-Hogail weighed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets.
Al-Naimi is an instructor for jewelry manufacture and design, but came to the inaugural Wrth event as a student, signing up for a wood-carving workshop that allows participants to identify the types of traditional engravings in the Najd region, and producing a wooden coaster using the technique with a copper inlay.
“I decided to go back to wood because I did clay before, and I did metals before, so I wanted to incorporate wood in my designs …
“It has metal in it, so, the experience was amazing because I use metal combined with wood, combined with a little bit of this technique.”
Other workshops explored traditional engraving methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary art.
Al-Naimi works as a personal branding consultant, and part of her job is to help individuals realize their hopes and connect with ways to energize themselves.
“One of the things that makes me happy is working with my hands. So working with metal, with wood, it’s all a stress relief. Plus you make something beautiful.”
Al-Naimi joined TRITA about two years ago, working with metals, but quickly found that it was more than just a space to create.
“Here at the Royal Institute, it’s support all the way — for the trainers, for the products; they have an online store now,” she said. Here students’ creations are up for sale at the physical location and online, creating profitable opportunities for aspiring and established artisans.
Wrth Community aims to lead the revival and development handicrafts, linking them to modern design and technology, enhancing the participation of institutions and the local community to highlight the importance of traditional arts in defining cultural identity, while also equipping people with ways to create traditional arts in today’s market.
Wrth Community provides opportunities for artisans to meet, exchange knowledge and enhance personal and professional skills with a focus on education, crafts, entrepreneurship, and dialogue sessions. By creating a supportive environment, TRITA hopes to stimulate talent and creative individuals to learn and practice traditional arts and crafts.
TRITA is a pioneering organization that highlights the national identity and enriches Saudi traditional arts locally and globally, promoting them and recognizing pioneers in the fields of traditional arts. This contributes to the preservation of traditional arts by supporting national capabilities and talents while encouraging those interested in learning, mastering and developing them.
KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria
- An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries
DAMASCUS: Officials from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees met in Damascus on Sunday to discuss coordinated efforts to assist the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting, focused on bolstering humanitarian and relief operations in the region, was attended by Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria.
During the discussions, UNHCR officials praised their strategic partnership with KSrelief, highlighting the importance of their joint initiatives to support refugees and displaced persons in Syria.
Both parties also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential resources and services to live with dignity.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains one of the most pressing in the world, especially after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December of last year, following over a decade of civil war.
Assad’s ouster came after years of intensified international sanctions and a lightning offensive across key cities by opposition militias, culminating in his government’s collapse.
An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Humanitarian organizations like KSrelief and UNHCR play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, providing essential aid such as food, shelter, and medical care.
In Syria, UNHCR has been a critical player in responding to the humanitarian crisis, assisting the millions of displaced Syrians and advocating for sustainable solutions to their plight. Its collaboration with partners such as KSrelief has been key to addressing the evolving needs of those affected by the conflict.
On Sunday, Fadi Al-Qasim, the Syrian Minister of Administrative Development in the transitional government, met with the KSrelief team in Damascus in the presence of Al-Harees.
During the meeting, they discussed strategies for delivering relief aid to support the Syrian people and civil society.
Al-Qasim expressed his gratitude to the KSrelief team for their generous assistance and praised the urgent humanitarian aid provided by Saudi Arabia to Syria.
Saudi minister receives British ambassador to Riyadh
- They discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Farooq signed the condolence book honoring the life and legacy of former US President Jimmy Carter, the Embassy of Pakistan wrote on X on Sunday.
