Arab and Muslim leaders, organizations congratulate Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Hajj success

Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the second day of Eid Al-Adha on June 29, 2023. (SPA/AFP)
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Updated 01 July 2023
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Arab and Muslim leaders, organizations congratulate Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Hajj success

  • Kingdom praised for providing maximum means of comfort and safety for pilgrims
  • OIC, GCC, Arab Parliament among those to send cables to the king

RIYADH: The Arab Parliament praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts, under the leadership of King Salman, to complete this year’s Hajj season, congratulating the Kingdom on the successful organization, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
Speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel Al-Asoumi said the Kingdom’s services provided the maximum means of comfort and safety for pilgrims and it harnessed its capabilities to facilitate the performance of rituals, and called for continued security and stability for the Kingdom to continue organizing the annual pilgrimage for many years to come.
Hissein Brahim Taha, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, congratulated the Kingdom on the successful season and praised the level of services and hospitality provided to the pilgrims, which the country “initiates with all dedication” every year.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the great and appreciated efforts of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman toward serving the pilgrims and said that such efforts contributed to creating an atmosphere full of tranquillity, faith, safety, and ease.
“Saudi Arabia’s tireless endeavours fulfilled the pilgrims’ needs and provided maximum care to them, in accordance with the purposes of the Islamic law and the great attention given by the government of the Kingdom to the guests of Allah,” the GCC said in a statement.


Al-Albudaiwi “confirmed that serving the Two Holy Mosques is a great honor and a great responsibility that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been performing since the era of the founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman and his sons” until the era of King Salman, the GCC added.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also sent a congratulatory message to King Salman on the success of the Hajj season this year, which was achieved thanks to the generous care of the king and his government to ensure that pilgrims can perform the rituals in tranquility and safety, state-run news agency WAM reported on Friday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, vice president, deputy prime minister and minister of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to King Salman.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on the success of organizing this year’s Hajj season, Kuwait News Agency reported.
In a cable, he expressed his sincere congratulations on the great success that was achieved thanks to the care given by the king and his government, which mobilized and devoted and dedicated all its energies and efforts around the clock to achieve its success, SPA said.
Sheikh Nawaf praised the continued expansion works of the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year and the use of modern smart services and technologies across the holy sites, which are line with the Kingdom’s vision of developing Hajj services to meet the needs of pilgrims and facilitate the performance of rituals.
The Kuwaiti emir said he appreciated the great role of Prince Khalid bin Faisal, governor of Makkah and chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, for their continuous work to ensure interagency cooperation and implementing the Hajj plans.
He called for more progress and prosperity for Saudi Arabia and its people under the king’s leadership.
Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also congratulated King Salman on the Hajj success in a similar cables.


Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered

Updated 31 May 2025
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Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered

  • The body was recovered following an extensive six-day search by Turkish rescue teams
  • Media reports said the boy, 9, fell into Haldizen Creek during a family holiday in Trabzon

BEIRUT: Search and rescue teams in Turkiye recovered the body of a nine-year-old Saudi boy on Saturday morning, six days after he reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.

The Saudi Embassy in Turkiye confirmed in a statement on X that the body of the boy was recovered following extensive searches by Turkish rescue teams over the past few days, and that the required procedures are underway in coordination with the family and the pertinent authorities.

The boy, who media reports have identified as Faysal Ramzi Al-Sheikh, is believed to have been spending a holiday with his family in Trabzon province when he went missing.

It was reported that he was beside one of the steep banks of the creek when he slipped into the river due to heavy rainfalls which had upped the level of the river water.

In its statement on X, the Saudi Embassy said: “May God have mercy on him … the embassy, in coordination with his family and the competent Turkish authorities, will complete the required procedures.”

It expressed its deep condolences to the family, adding it “sincerely thanks the Turkish authorities for their great efforts in searching for the deceased … and recovering his body.”


Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market

Updated 31 May 2025
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Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market

  • The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares
  • Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant

RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom’s largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes.

This reflects the region’s strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent.

Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom’s total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported.

The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector.

Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA.

Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales.

Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa.

The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.


Saudi Arabia and Qatar to provide financial support for Syrian state employees

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Saudi Arabia and Qatar to provide financial support for Syrian state employees

  • Kingdom to remain one of main backers to Syria in path for reconstruction and economic recovery, FM said
  • Several visits to follow in coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments: Prince Faisal

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Saturday that the Kingdom will offer with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria.

His statements came during a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani in Damascus, who welcomed the foreign minister and his delegation on his arrival in the Syrian capital.

“The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,” Prince Faisal said.

Syria and Saudi Arabia had previously discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the financial sectors.

Prince Faisal referred to his country’s role in helping to lift economic sanctions on Syria, saying that Saudi Arabia would continue to be one of the main backers to Syria in its path for reconstruction and economic recovery.

He said he was being accompanied with a high-level economic delegation from the Kingdom to “hold talks (with the Syrian side) to bolster aspects of cooperation in various fields.”

Several visits would then follow in the coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors, he said.

The Kingdom and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the stability and development of Syria, highlighting their shared historical and fraternal ties with the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two countries stressed the importance of improving living conditions and promoting economic and social stability in Syria.

They also expressed a strong desire to work in coordination with the international community and development partners to ensure sustainable, effective support through a comprehensive and unified vision, SPA added.

Later on Saturday, the two foreign ministers toured the Ummayad Mosque in Damascus.

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Prince Faisal also met with interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday during his visit and “the high-level economic delegation” held talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating “that contribute to supporting Syria’s economy and strengthen institution building.”

On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country.

The European Union also recently lifted economic sanctions on Syria.

In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totaling roughly $15 million.

Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community.

Years of war and sanctions have battered the country’s economy, infrastructure and industry.

A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria’s “lost GDP” during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion.

Prince Faisal first visited Syria’s new authorities in January.

* With AFP


Kingdom extends aid to global communities

Updated 31 May 2025
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Kingdom extends aid to global communities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,155 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Baidoa district, Bay region, benefiting 6,930 people.

KSrelief also signed an agreement with the International Wars and Disaster Victims’ Protection Association to operate the third phase of the dialysis center at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, benefiting 665 individuals.

In Yemen, the agency distributed 3,471 food packages to the neediest groups in Al-Madinah district, Marib governorate, benefiting 24,297 people.

KSrelief signed an agreement with a civil society organization to distribute 800 tonnes of dates in Chad. The $2 million initiative aims to support vulnerable families across several regions and is expected to benefit about 500,000 people.

The agency implemented the two-week Saudi Noor program in Burkina Faso to combat blindness and related diseases. KSrelief’s medical team examined 8,000 individuals, distributed 2,000 eyeglasses, provided medication to 3,886 patients, and performed 800 surgeries as part of the initiative.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.


Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week

Updated 31 May 2025
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Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,129 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 7,127 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,441 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,561 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,197 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Ethiopian, 34 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 90 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.