Hajj and Umrah Services Conference Kicks off on Monday under Patronage of King Salman

Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP)
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP)
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Hajj and Umrah Services Conference Kicks off on Monday under Patronage of King Salman

Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP)
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP)

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, will inaugurate in Jeddah on Monday the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition 2024.

The event is being organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program - a program under the Saudi Vision 2030.

It will run through January 11.

The conference will unite individuals and businesses from the Hajj and Umrah sector in Saudi Arabia and over 80 countries worldwide. It aims to present innovative solutions, products, services, and projects that mirror the sector's development in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said the conference will provide ample opportunities for the business sector to enhance pilgrims' experiences.

He stressed the Saudi government's commitment to improving visitor and pilgrim services globally by introducing innovative technologies and services aimed at facilitating rituals and elevating service quality.

Dr. Al-Rabiah will engage in a ministerial dialogue session alongside senior officials to spotlight the Kingdom's endeavors in enhancing services for participants in the Pilgrim Experience Program.

The concurrent exhibition will showcase over 200 exhibitors from government, private, non-profit, entrepreneurial, and innovative sectors. This year's exhibition is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors.



Saudi Arabia Launches Medical Volunteering Program in Over 20 Specialties to Support Syria

 A Saudi delegation from KSrelief tours Syrian hospitals (SANA)
 A Saudi delegation from KSrelief tours Syrian hospitals (SANA)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Medical Volunteering Program in Over 20 Specialties to Support Syria

 A Saudi delegation from KSrelief tours Syrian hospitals (SANA)
 A Saudi delegation from KSrelief tours Syrian hospitals (SANA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has announced a call for Saudi medical professionals to volunteer their expertise to support Syria’s health sector, addressing urgent needs across more than 20 specialties. This initiative is part of the Saudi “Amal” (Hope) Volunteer Program, aimed at meeting the healthcare needs of crisis-affected countries.
The center invited specialists interested in volunteering to register for the year-long program, which seeks to provide emergency and medical services across various fields to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people through the contributions of medical volunteers.
Dr. Samer Al-Jutaili, KSrelief’s spokesperson, stated that the center’s external volunteering platform allows professionals to register in critical medical specialties to aid Syria’s health sector, particularly during this challenging humanitarian crisis.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Jutaili explained that the required specialties were determined in coordination with Syrian health authorities. He emphasized that the program aims to mobilize Saudi medical volunteers to address the health sector’s needs across all Syrian regions. He also praised the dedication of Saudi medical professionals, who have made significant international contributions through the program, supporting humanitarian efforts in 57 countries with over 200,000 operations across various specialties.
KSrelief announced that the “Amal” program was launched under the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in humanitarian efforts globally. The initiative seeks to deliver emergency and medical services to reduce human suffering and promote a dignified life with the participation of highly skilled Saudi volunteers.
In parallel with the volunteer program, Saudi Arabia continues its air and land relief operations for Syria. The sixth relief plane from KSrelief arrived in Damascus on Sunday, carrying food, medical supplies, and shelter materials to support the Syrian population during these challenging times.
Additionally, the first convoy of Saudi relief trucks crossed the Jordanian Jaber border on Sunday en route to Syria. The convoy included 60 trucks loaded with over 541 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter materials as part of Saudi Arabia’s land relief initiative for Syria.
Al-Jutaili noted that the land bridge will complement efforts to distribute aid across Syrian territories, including heavy medical equipment such as MRI, X-ray, and CT scan machines that cannot be transported by air. He emphasized that the Saudi aid bridge to Damascus would ensure comprehensive coverage of Syria’s urgent needs, offering critical support to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.