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Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Umrah Performers Has Noticeably Increased

Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj to Asharq Al-Awsat: Number of Umrah Performers Has Noticeably Increased

Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Umrah performers are seen in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat revealed on Monday that the Kingdom has witnessed a noticeable increase in the number of Umrah performers from abroad.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he also underlined the increase in the capacity at the two Holy Mosques – the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Umrah performers started flocking to the Kingdom a month and a half ago. Their numbers are expected to surpass previous seasons, especially after Saudi authorities worked tirelessly in facilitating travel to Umrah performers from across the globe.

Mashat told Asharq Al-Awsat that the greatest number of performers have arrived from Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Yemen and Bangladesh.

He predicted that the figures will only increase, crediting the ease of obtaining visas and communicating with service providers to the Nusuk platform.

Nusuk allows applicants to submit their Umrah application directly through the platform.

Mashat described the platform as the most remarkable digital and technical transformation that services the visitors of the two Holy Mosques.

It now acts as a comprehensive platform through which the visitors can plan their Umrah, starting from their visa application. It offers them several services that ensure that the performers have a smooth journey. It features interactive maps and a guide to historic locations.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is forging ahead in taking advantage of the digital transformation to serve the visitors, stressed Mashat.

Asked about the goal to attract 30 million Umrah performers, he said it can be achieved through a number of initiatives, such as extending the Umrah season, reducing visa processing times and facilitating arrival procedures.

He noted the Saudi Visa Bio app that allows travelers to upload their travel documents on to the platform before their arrival to the Kingdom. The app has so far been tested on visitors from Britain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Kuwait.

Mashat stressed that the Saudi leadership is very keen on serving the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. This has been demonstrated through the expansion of the Grand Mosque and holy sites, which were among the world’s grandest projects in terms of cost and area covered.

He highlighted the establishment of the Pilgrim Experience Program that includes all parties concerned with the organization of the Hajj and Umrah with the aim of hosting more visitors, providing high quality services and enriching their religious and cultural experience through visits to historic Islamic sites in Makkah and Madinah.

Moreover, Mashat highlighted the organization of the Umrah and how the new arrangements allowed the arrival of visitors through different visas, such as a family, personal or tourist visa, visa on arrival, and transit visa. Furthermore, the duration of the Umrah visa has been extended to 90 days and the condition for women to travel with a legal guardian (mahram) has been lifted.

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Gulf

Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee Kicks Off 12th Session in Riyadh

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
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Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee Kicks Off 12th Session in Riyadh

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA

The 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee kicked off Sunday in Riyadh, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and bringing together representatives from government entities of both countries to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation and developing strategic partnerships across various economic and development sectors.

The committee session was co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef and Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Samir Abdelhafidh, attended by official delegations and government sector representatives from both countries, SPA reported.

In his opening remarks, Alkhorayef emphasized the strength of Saudi-Tunisian relations and the brotherly and economic ties between the two countries, which span more than 70 years. He noted that these ties are reflected today in shared visions and ambitious work programs that align with the aspirations of both countries’ leaderships and peoples, as well as their mutual interests.

He pointed out that the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, launched in 1998, represents an institutional framework aimed at translating cooperation into executable programs and initiatives. He expressed his hope that this session would serve as a new starting point for joint strategic projects and more impactful agreements that contribute to the economic development of both countries.

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors. The minister called on companies in both countries to build practical partnerships in promising industries and value chains. He also highlighted the outcomes of the third meeting, held in Tunisia in July 2025, namely the agreements on mutual recognition of product conformity certificates, which positively contributed to a 38% growth in trade exchange through September 2025 compared with the same period last year.

The committee’s current session focused on boosting cooperation mechanisms, discussing investment opportunities, and exchanging expertise in key sectors, including industry, mining, tourism, transport and logistics, and the judiciary and justice sectors. These efforts aim to enhance trade efficiency, support the access of Saudi products to international markets, and strengthen economic and investment cooperation.

Gulf

77th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinian People in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
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77th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinian People in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA

The 77th Saudi relief airplane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Kingdom’s Embassy in Cairo, arrived Sunday at El Arish International Airport in Egypt.

The airplane carried food baskets and shelter kits destined for those affected in the Gaza Strip, SPA reported.

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support, provided through the center, to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Saturday it “was time for the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen to listen to reason and prioritize public interest and unity of ranks and respond to the Saudi-Emirati mediation to end the escalation.”

In a post on the X platform, he called on the STC to withdraw its forces from the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and restore control to the National Shield and local authorities.

Prince Khalid said Saudi Arabia formed the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen to help the country reclaim control over all of its territories.

The liberation of southern provinces was a pivotal development towards that goal, he stressed.

Saudi Arabia “views the southern issue as fundamental” to Yemen and it will not “exploit it in conflicts that do not serve” the nation, he added.

The Kingdom had brought together all Yemeni components to the Riyadh conference to come up with a clear path for a comprehensive political solution, including the southern issue, he went on to say.

The conference paved the way for a “just solution to their cause through dialogue and without the use of forces.”

“Saudi Arabia approved the decision to move the base of power so that the southerners could have a greater role in state institutions. It consolidated partnership instead of elimination or imposing a status quo through forces. Saudi Arabia also presented Yemen with economic support, as well as development and humanitarian initiatives that helped ease the suffering of the people,” Prince Khalid added.

“Saudi Arabia and its partners in the coalition offered sacrifices with their Yemeni brothers in liberating Aden and other provinces,” he noted. “The Kingdom has always sought that these sacrifices be made in the name of reclaiming territories and restoring the state, not as a path towards new conflicts.”

It had hoped that these sacrifices would have been “invested in the security of all Yemeni people, not exploited for petty gains, whereby the unfortunate developments in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra since the beginning of December 2025 have led to the division in ranks that should be united against the enemy.”

“The developments have laid waste to the sacrifices of our sons and Yemeni people and have harmed the just southern issue,” stressed Prince Khalid.

He noted that several southern leaderships and figures have exhibited “awareness and wisdom in supporting efforts to end the escalation in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra and prevent the secure southern provinces from being dragged into futile conflicts.”

“They are aware of the major challenges facing Yemen and will not allow saboteurs to achieve their goals in the country and the region,” he remarked.

He declared that the “southern issue will remain part of any comprehensive political solution. The cause will not be neglected or marginalized. It should be resolved through consensus, adhering to commitments and building trust between all Yemeni segments, not through adventures that only serve everyone's enemy.”