RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh on Wednesday received the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sheikh Husein Kavazovic, and his accompanying delegation, during their visit to the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting held in Riyadh, they discussed various topics related to Muslim affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with other countries in the Balkans region.
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Saudi Islamic affairs minister meets Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Saudi Islamic affairs minister meets Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Makkah Route Initiative greatly improves Hajj procedures, says octogenarian Moroccan pilgrim
- 82-year-old also praised the warm welcome she received upon arrival at the Makkah Route terminal
MAKKAH: Munira, an 82-year-old Moroccan pilgrim, said she was grateful for advancements in travel and pilgrimage services after recently arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
She recalled that her grandfather had undertaken the pilgrimage more than 70 years ago, traveling on foot across several countries.
The journey took almost two years and was marked by immense hardship and danger.
“Since I was a child, my father would recount the story of my grandfather’s journey, always emphasizing the struggles he endured,” Munira said. “I grew up believing that Hajj required enormous effort and sacrifice.”
Reflecting on her own experience, she added: “I never imagined I would reach Makkah in just six hours, sitting comfortably on a plane.”
Munira described her departure from Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca as smooth and efficient. She completed all procedures in record time and in a “pleasant, well-organized” manner, she told the SPA.
The 82-year-old also praised the warm welcome she received upon arrival at the Makkah Route terminal, highlighting the initiative as a significant leap forward in streamlining the Hajj experience for pilgrims.
Saudi FM arrives in Madrid for talks on Gaza crisis and two-state solution conference
- Upcoming conference will be co-chaired by the Kingdom and France
MADRID: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Madrid on Saturday to take part in an expanded ministerial meeting convened by the committee formed during the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on developments in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting, which includes representatives from the Madrid Group and several European nations, will address the latest developments in both Gaza and the West Bank, with a focus on efforts to halt the ongoing conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Discussions will also include preparations for a high-level international conference on the two-state solution, set to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York this June.
The upcoming conference will be co-chaired by the Kingdom and France.
Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh
- Two sides review relations between countries, regional, international developments
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met a delegation from the US House of Representatives on Saturday at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The delegation was headed by Michael Lawler, member of Congress and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.
The two sides reviewed the long-standing relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, and also discussed key regional and international developments, as well as issues of mutual concern, the SPA added.
The meeting followed the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom earlier this month and reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Saudi authorities crack down on illegal Hajj activities
- 21 arrested for transporting, 84 pilgrims caught without permits
MAKKAH: The Ministry of Interior is continuing its efforts to prevent individuals without Hajj permits from entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites, warning that violators and facilitators will be arrested and penalized.
The Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested eight residents and 12 citizens for transporting 75 individuals without permits to perform Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The ministry issued administrative decisions through seasonal committees against the transporters, accomplices, and those transported.
Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), public naming of violators, deportation of residents, and a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after sentencing.
The ministry has also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transportation and for fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting Hajj without a permit.
In a separate incident, a Saudi citizen was arrested for transporting nine visa-holding expatriates without Hajj permits, the SPA reported.
All individuals involved have been referred to relevant authorities to enforce the prescribed penalties.
The ministry has urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations to ensure the safety of pilgrims. It warned that performing or attempting Hajj without a permit from April 29 to June 10 was prohibited.
The ministry has encouraged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, security patrols in Makkah have arrested four Indonesian expatriates for fraudulently promoting fake and misleading Hajj campaigns on social media, and falsely offering accommodation and transportation within the holy sites.
They were also found promoting forged Nusuk Hajj cards and violating Hajj regulations by harboring 14 individuals without permits in a building.
The suspects were detained, legal action was taken, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution. Those harbored were referred to the competent authorities for the prescribed penalties.
Hajj Security Forces last week arrested 43 residents and 39 citizens in separate incidents for transporting 259 individuals without Hajj permits.
According to a recent report by the General Directorate of Passports, a total of 890,883 pilgrims from abroad have arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj from air, land, and sea.
The directorate reaffirmed its commitment to streamlining entry procedures by equipping all ports with advanced technology and multilingual staff.
Kingdom arrests 13,118 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 13,118 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 8,150 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,344 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,624 for labor-related issues.
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 ($267,000), 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.
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