Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing e-visas for Umrah, as part of its efforts to enable more Muslims to come to the Kingdom to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and facilitate its procedures for them.

This comes along with raising the quality of Umrah services to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The ministry stated that people who seek electronic visas can submit applications at the Nusuk platform, so they can start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19.

The Nusuk platform facilitates the arrival procedures for Muslims worldwide to visit Makkah and Madinah, provides housing choices, residence and transportation services, in addition to easy access to a package of enrichment information and interactive maps in several languages.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah previously announced, in cooperation with the concerned authorities, that holders of tourist visas from the Gulf Cooperation Council of Arab states and holders of Schengen visa can book Umrah appointments via the Nusk application.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry also facilitates procedures for holders of different types of visas.

Facilities provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to the Umrah performers are a part of new legislation that is recently adopted and include reducing the insurance fees for Umrah performers by 63% while maintaining the sustainability of health services for them, issuing the Umrah visa in less than 24 hours, and extending the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days, with no health requirements.

The updated procedures of Umrah also permit women to perform the Umrah without a male guardian (mahram). The new rules also allow Umrah performers to visit the unique sites of the Kingdom to learn about the country's cultural diversity and enrich their religious and cultural experiences.



Saudi Expresses its Categorical Rejection of Flagrant Attacks against UAE

A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on February 13, 2020, shows a view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers west of Ruwais. (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / AFP)
A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on February 13, 2020, shows a view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers west of Ruwais. (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / AFP)
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Saudi Expresses its Categorical Rejection of Flagrant Attacks against UAE

A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on February 13, 2020, shows a view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers west of Ruwais. (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / AFP)
A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on February 13, 2020, shows a view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers west of Ruwais. (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / AFP)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates that led to a fire in the vicinity of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement stressed the Kingdom's “categorical rejection of the flagrant attacks that threat regional security and stability.”

The Kingdom underscores its solidarity with the UAE and support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty and security.

A drone strike sparked a fire on the edge of the UAE’s sole nuclear power plant on Sunday in what authorities called an “unprovoked terrorist attack.”

The UAE Defense Ministry said three drones came over its western border and that it was investigating the incident.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi also strongly condemned the attack on the UAE.

“These treacherous attacks on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant are a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the region,” he warned in a statement.

He slammed the attack as a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms regarding the protection of vital and nuclear facilities, given the potentially catastrophic consequences impacting regional and international security, as well as threatening the safety of civilians, the environment, and global energy supplies.”

He underscored the full support of the GCC member states for the UAE in all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability, as well as the safety of its citizens and residents.


Saudi Arabia Destroys 3 Drones Fired from Iraq

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Destroys 3 Drones Fired from Iraq

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that its defenses intercepted and destroyed three drones that were fired from Iraq.

Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said the drones were detected in the morning and destroyed after entering the Kingdom’s airspace.

“The Ministry reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place and will implement all necessary operational measures to counter any attempted aggression against the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security, or the safety of its citizens and residents,” he declared.


Saudi Arabia, Egypt Discuss Regional De-escalation Efforts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty during a previous meeting in Riyadh. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty during a previous meeting in Riyadh. (SPA file photo)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt Discuss Regional De-escalation Efforts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty during a previous meeting in Riyadh. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty during a previous meeting in Riyadh. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Sunday with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Riyadh and Cairo’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

They stressed their support for diplomatic solutions, including Pakistan’s mediation between the United States and Iran.

They also tackled other regional developments.