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Pilgrims Flock to Holy Site of Arafat

Muslim pilgrims pray on the Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Muslim pilgrims pray on the Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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Pilgrims Flock to Holy Site of Arafat

Muslim pilgrims pray on the Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Muslim pilgrims pray on the Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

More than two million pilgrims, both men and women, are gathering on the plains of Arafat on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic year 1444.

They are fulfilling their religious obligation and performing rituals in an atmosphere of faith, under the comprehensive care and support of Saudi authorities, which have been mobilized under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

As the sun rises on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the sacred grounds of Arafat have been completely prepared to welcome the pilgrims of the Holy Kaaba.

The Kingdom’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and the General Supervisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program, Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh, announced the successful implementation of the ministry’s plans to facilitate the arrival and reception of 4,951 pilgrims from 92 countries around the world to the holy sites for the day of Tarwiyah.

Pilgrims will then climb to Arafat to perform the most significant pillar of Hajj, following a comprehensive system of services provided by all the committees involved in the program.

Media Minister Salman Al-Dossary paid an inspection visit to the press operation room of Hajj season 2023, which is overseen by the ministry with the participation of 50 government agencies that work around-the-clock to facilitate the work of reporters covering the annual pilgrimage.

Al-Dossary was briefed on the services and work mechanisms of the room. He has also checked on the work progress at the Virtual Press Center (VPC), which provides media services, including videos and images, to more than 1,100 local and international reporters covering this year’s Hajj.

Since its launch, the VPC has made more than 1,500 press materials available to journalists and will also be airing Hajj press conferences in five languages for three days starting Monday.

The minister has also paid a visit to the press operation room of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), through which supervision and coordination are maintained with field reporters at the holy sites. The room is one of four other media centers established by SPA at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Al-Awali that also support international news agencies. Al-Dossary was briefed on SPA efforts.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Health, in a later announcement on Monday evening, declared the absence of any infectious diseases among the pilgrims, affirming the overall healthiness of the Hajj season.

As temperatures soar during this season, the ministry has promptly taken various measures to alert the pilgrims about the risks of heat exhaustion.

They emphasize the use of sunshades, increased fluid intake, avoidance of physical exertion, adherence to health guidelines, and adopting proper behaviors to prevent heatstroke and heat-related fatigue.

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Gulf

Saudi, Omani FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Omani FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Wednesday his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi.

They reviewed the strong bilateral relations between their countries and ways to boost them across various fields.

They also addressed the latest developments in the region and the importance of continuing efforts to achieve security and stability.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Israeli Decision to Ban 37 Aid Groups from Operating in Gaza

The sun sets over a tent camp sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive, on New Year’ Eve in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, December 31, 2025. (Reuters)
The sun sets over a tent camp sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive, on New Year’ Eve in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, December 31, 2025. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Decision to Ban 37 Aid Groups from Operating in Gaza

The sun sets over a tent camp sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive, on New Year’ Eve in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, December 31, 2025. (Reuters)
The sun sets over a tent camp sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive, on New Year’ Eve in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, December 31, 2025. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned on Wednesday Israel’s decision to prevent 37 international non-governmental organizations operating in the humanitarian and health sectors from carrying out their activities in Gaza.

The Secretariat stressed that these organizations “play an indispensable role in alleviating humanitarian suffering in Gaza.”

The OIC General Secretariat “warned of the grave consequences of this arbitrary measure, which is likely to dangerously exacerbate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli restrictions that hinder the entry of sufficient humanitarian and medical aid.”

It deemed the Israeli decision as “illegal and a “blatant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which obliges the Israel to facilitate the work of international and humanitarian organizations and to allow the adequate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.”

The OIC General Secretariat called on the international community “to take the necessary measures and exert effective pressure on Israeli authorities to reverse this decision, ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, and guarantee the freedom of humanitarian organizations to operate without restriction throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.”

Gulf

Gulf Countries, OIC Say Security of Saudi Arabia and GCC States Integral to Region

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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Gulf Countries, OIC Say Security of Saudi Arabia and GCC States Integral to Region

A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of Kuwait City buildings, Kuwait, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar announced that it is following with great interest the ongoing developments and events in Yemen, reiterating its full support for the legitimate Yemeni government and the importance of preserving Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, safeguarding the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people, and achieving their aspirations for security, stability, and development.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council states is integral to the security of Qatar, stemming from the deep-rooted brotherly ties and shared destiny that unite the GCC countries.

The ministry commended the statements issued by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, noting that they reflect a commitment to prioritizing the region’s interests, boosting the principles of good neighborliness, and adhering to the foundations and principles enshrined in the Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Qatar will remain at the forefront of countries supporting efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy as the optimal path to achieving prosperity, security, and stability for the region and its peoples, stressed the ministry.

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued a similar statement, saying the security of Saudi Arabia and GCC states is a fundamental pillar of Gulf collective security, rooted in the bonds of brotherhood and shared destiny among them.

It expressed continued support for regional and international efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and peace, emphasizing diplomacy as the most effective path to achieving security, stability, and lasting peace in the region.

Bahrain, chair of the current session of the GCC, praised the “pivotal role played by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in supporting the security and stability of Yemen, stemming from their brotherly responsibilities and shared commitment to the security and stability of the Gulf region within the GCC framework.” 

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed its “confidence in the wisdom of the leaderships of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and in their ability to contain any differences within the framework of the GCC, in line with the principles of the GCC based on solidarity, mutual understanding, and unity, serving the shared aspirations to instill security, stability, peace, and prosperity for the benefit of the region and its peoples.” 

The ministry reiterated Bahrain’s “firm and supportive stance toward all regional and international initiatives and efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive and lasting political solution in Yemen, in accordance with the GCC initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” 

Jordan also praised Saudi Arabia and the UAE's roles in supporting Yemen.

OIC

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha underlined the organization’s firm stance in support of Yemen, its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.  

He reiterated the OIC’s categorical rejection of any actions or attempts that would undermine Yemen’s unity or compromise its constitutional legitimacy and national institutions, in light of recent developments in the country. 

He renewed the OIC’s full support for the legitimate Yemeni government, represented by the President of the Presidential Leadership Council. He stressed the importance of preserving and strengthening state institutions in order to realize the Yemeni people’s aspirations for security, stability, and development. 

Taha condemned any actions or practices by the Southern Transitional Council that pose a direct threat to Yemen’s unity, undermine peace efforts, and prolong the conflict.  

“Any disruption to Yemen’s security and stability also threatens peace and security across the region,” he warned. 

He welcomed the announcement of the UAE’s withdrawal of forces from Yemen, describing it as a “constructive step that supports de-escalation efforts and spares the blood of the Yemeni people.” 

He further stressed that the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia “constitute inviolable red lines.” 

“Any threat to the Kingdom’s security is a direct threat to the security of the entire region and the Islamic world,” Taha added, underscoring the OIC’s “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all measures taken to safeguard its national security.” 

He stressed “the need to continue supporting political and diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Yemeni crisis.” 

He called on all Yemeni parties “to uphold legitimacy, renounce violence, and prioritize dialogue and the higher interests of Yemen and its people, in order to achieve security, stability, and development while preserving the country’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”