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 Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.