The demand for Saudi workers in the private sector has increased dramatically in recent months as many companies find it difficult to get adequate number of qualified Saudi nationals to meet their manpower requirements.
The Nitaqat system introduced by the Labor Ministry has changed the strategy of many companies as they compete with one another to employ more Saudis in order to benefit from the ministry’s services.
Many private companies believe that employment of Saudis would strengthen their market position and increase their sales. This strategic turn in private sector recruitment policy is good news for the thousands of Saudis who pass out from universities.
“We have advertised in so many newspapers on so many occasions to fill vacant positions and meet manpower requirements of our expansion plan. Unfortunately only a very few Saudis turned up,” said Hussein Al-Marzooq, HR and administration director of the United Yousef M. Naghi Company, an affiliate of Naghi Group.
The company is seeking a large number of Saudi workers to take up important positions in its showrooms, warehouses and maintenance centers across the Kingdom.
“We have invested a lot of money in our new expansion projects and we want Saudis to be part of our success,” Al-Marzooq said. “At present we have about 1,000 employees and we intend to double the number in the coming few years.”
Executives of a number of other companies have also complained that they are not getting qualified Saudis to fulfill Nitaqat conditions. According to the Labor Ministry, more than a million Saudis, mostly women, have applied for its unemployment allowance.
Al-Marzooq disclosed his company’s plans to employ more than 300 Saudis immediately in different positions including accountants, cashiers, showroom supervisors, civil engineers, architectural engineers, secretaries, administrators, training and development manager, warehouse manager and drivers.
Al-Marzooq emphasized United Naghi’s policy of creating more job opportunities for Saudis after providing them with on-the-job training.
He spoke about Naghi’s efforts to attract Saudi employees by giving them incentives such as good salary and benefits including yearly ticket allowance. “Our minimum salary is more than SR 3,000.”
Asked why Saudis are not applying for private sector jobs, Al-Marzooq said: “We don’t know the real reason.” However, he pointed out that most Saudis prefer government jobs as they find them more comfortable.
He said Naghi provides Saudis a good working atmosphere and incentives and hoped that it would encourage them to continue with the company for several years.
“We don’t fire any staff member without any genuine reason,” he said.
Al-Marzooq said his company was seeking Saudi workers for its showrooms and maintenance centers in Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Hail, Bisha, Unaizah, Baha, Hafr Al-Baten, Al-Ahsa and Tabuk. “We are also looking for qualified Saudi women to take up jobs in the company’s Customer Service and Marketing Department,” he said.
Naghi has embarked on a new program to recruit and train university graduates to employ them in various departments. “We will participate in the career day of Saudi universities to recruit qualified graduates,” he said. At present the company is training 35 Saudis to take up jobs such as salesmen and service technicians.
United Yousef Naghi Co. Ltd. is part of Naghi Group of companies. With their headquarters in Jeddah, the group operates throughout the Kingdom with a network of offices, warehouses and showrooms as well as active companies in the UAE, Egypt and India.
Naghi Group’s businesses cover automobiles from luxury cars to commercial vehicles and buses; consumer goods and foodstuffs; electronic and electrical goods; operation and maintenance services; catering and restaurant operations; retail outlets; perfumes, cosmetics and personal care products; pharmaceuticals, medical technologies and services; insurance & risk management services; and Haj and Umrah
service. Major multinational companies such as Roles Royce, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Hyundai and LG Electronics, have chosen to work with this successful group.
Private companies woo Saudi workers offering big incentives
Private companies woo Saudi workers offering big incentives
Makkah mosques discovered during the Hajj season: Untold stories of sacred sites
- Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage
MAKKAH: In Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, spiritual significance extends far beyond the Grand Mosque. Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history.
Yet, amid the dense crowds and the rapid pace of modern development, many pilgrims and Umrah performers remain unaware of these sacred sites, quietly tucked away within the city’s expanding urban landscape.
Fawaz Al-Dahas, professor of history at Umm Al-Qura University, said that Makkah is home to several mosques of profound historical and religious value, yet they remain largely overlooked, receiving neither the media attention nor the organized religious visits they merit.
Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He said that this mosque was not merely a physical structure, but a sacred site where the foundational principles of Islam were proclaimed. He also referenced the Bay’ah Mosque in Mina, which commemorates the pivotal moment when the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet, paving the way for the Hijrah and the establishment of the Islamic state.
According to Al-Dahas, the importance of these mosques transcends their geographic locations, reflecting their profound political and religious significance in Islamic history.
Al-Dahas shed light on Al-Rayah Mosque: “Located in the Jarwal neighborhood, where the Prophet’s banner was raised on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, a powerful symbol of victory tempered by forgiveness.”
He also drew attention to Al-Hudaibiya Mosque, situated west of Makkah, where the historic Bay’at Al-Ridwan pledge took place, an event referenced in the Holy Qur’an. He said that while the mosque still stands on the original site of the Treaty of Hudaibiya, it remains largely unknown, with few visitors aware of its exact location.
Mohammed Al-Joud, a Hajj and Umrah specialist, said that these mosques were not merely historical structures, but vital educational landmarks that enrich a pilgrim’s understanding of the deeper spiritual dimensions of Hajj. He pointed to Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina, where the Prophet and prophets before him are believed to have prayed, as a powerful symbol of the continuity of prophethood: “Yet, many pilgrims remain unaware of its significance outside the Hajj season.”
Al-Joud also highlighted Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, emphasizing that awareness of such sacred sites bridges the rituals of Hajj with their Qur’anic and historical roots, enhancing the spiritual journey.
Al-Joud also drew attention to Al-Kabsh Mosque in Mina, linked to the story of the sacrifice of Ismail. He explained that the mosque symbolizes the values of sacrifice and obedience, yet remains largely overlooked in media coverage and excluded from most pilgrimage programs. He described it as an essential part of a broader, interconnected network of sacred sites that trace the prophetic journey — from revelation to migration, and from peace to conquest.
Al-Dahas underscored the importance of launching awareness initiatives to shed light on these mosques and restore their rightful standing. He said that safeguarding Makkah’s Islamic heritage was not limited to preserving its prominent landmarks, but also required reviving these historically significant mosques, which once stood as pivotal markers along the journey of the prophetic message.
He said that reconnecting pilgrims with these sacred sites revived the educational and historical depth of Hajj, enriching the journey with a more profound, informed, and spiritually immersive experience.
Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved
- The king and crown prince sent separate cables to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the authorities involved in organizing the 2025 Hajj season, praising the efforts that contributed to its success, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In separate cables sent to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, both leaders thanked the minister, regional governors, committee members, and all security, civil, and government personnel who took part in delivering a smooth and safe pilgrimage for nearly 1.7 million worshippers.
King Salman described the season as a success by the grace of God and the coordinated execution of comprehensive security, health, organizational, and service plans.
He highlighted the pilgrims’ ability to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, in a secure and spiritual atmosphere.
“We followed with pride the great efforts made by all sectors in serving the pilgrims of the house of Allah,” the King said. “We were pleased with the dedication and excellence shown by everyone in attaining the honor of serving the guests of the most Gracious.”
The king also thanked all those involved for their Eid Al-Adha greetings, prayed for the acceptance of the pilgrims’ Hajj, and asked God to grant continued success in serving Islam and Muslims.
Prince Mohammed echoed the sentiments, expressing thanks for the congratulations and for the collective commitment shown throughout the season.
He attributed the successful management of the Hajj to divine support, the leadership of King Salman, and the tireless work of all entities involved in executing the wide-ranging plans.
He also praised the careful monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
“We pray to God to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to sustain the blessings of security on our homeland, and to accept the Hajj of all pilgrims,” the crown prince said.
The Hajj season this year saw 1,673,230 pilgrims perform their rites.
Saudi FM meets with Egyptian, Iranian counterparts to discuss Gaza crisis at Oslo Forum
- Meeting came as death toll from ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza reportedly climbed above 55,000
OSLO: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks on Wednesday with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2025 in Norway.
The two ministers discussed Saudi-Egyptian relations as well as key regional developments, with a particular focus on the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting came as the death toll from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war climbed above 55,000, according to figures released Wednesday by the Gaza Health Ministry.
The ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters, said women and children accounted for more than half of the fatalities.
Prince Faisal and Abdelatty reviewed the efforts being made to de-escalate the crisis and support humanitarian relief.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Minister also met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Oslo on Wednesday.
The two officials reviewed relations between their countries and discussed regional and international developments.
Several arrests made in drug crackdown across Saudi Arabia
- Border Guard patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested 14 Ethiopians for smuggling 260 kg of qat
- In a separate incident, four Ethiopians were arrested for smuggling 28 kg of qat in Al-Farsha governorate
RIYADH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Border Guard patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested 14 Ethiopians for smuggling 260 kg of qat. In a separate incident, four Ethiopians were arrested for smuggling 28 kg of qat in Al-Farsha governorate.
Security patrols in Asir also arrested a citizen with 11 kg of qat in the same governorate.
In the Al-Dayer sector of the Jazan region, authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle 600 kg of qat. In another case, Border Guard patrols arrested an Ethiopian trying to smuggle 80 kg of qat.
The General Directorate of Mujahideen in Jazan arrested two citizens for selling hashish, while the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested two Pakistanis and an Indonesian in Jeddah with 1.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.
A citizen was also arrested in the Baha region for selling amphetamine.
Preliminary legal procedures have been completed for all individuals, and the seized narcotics have been handed over to the authorities.
The Saudi government urges anyone with information about smuggling or customs offenses to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number +966114208417, or email 1910@zatca.gov.sa.
All information is treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for valid information.
KSrelief’s role in global aid efforts praised at UN donor support meeting
- The meeting was organized by the UN Pooled Fund Working Group
RIYADH: Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general for planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief and Saudi Arabia’s representative in the Donor Support Group for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, participated in a high-level meeting in Jersey, UK.
The meeting was organized by the UN Pooled Fund Working Group and attended by senior representatives from donor countries and international humanitarian organizations.
In his speech, Al-Ghamdi emphasized the need to strengthen joint action and coordination among donor countries and UN institutions to ensure equitable and effective aid access, especially for the most vulnerable.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the meeting was a key milestone in global efforts to improve financing mechanisms and responses to humanitarian needs.
Al-Ghamdi reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to continue supporting global humanitarian efforts, helping to protect lives and improve living conditions in affected communities.
He noted that the Kingdom is among the world’s largest humanitarian donors and has led significant initiatives through KSrelief in recent years. These efforts have reached more than 100 countries and were implemented in partnership with UN agencies and international organizations.
At the meeting’s conclusion, participants praised Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in humanitarian support and stressed the need to sustain international momentum for effective and lasting impact.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion in 107 countries, in collaboration with at least 318 organizations.
These programs cover food security, early recovery, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid, logistics, telecommunications, and nutrition.
