Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in April 

Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in April 
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Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in April 

Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Umrah to Host Inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in April 

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will host the inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah (Visit) Forum in Madinah from April 22 to 24.

Held under the patronage of Governor of Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the forum is one of the latest successful events held by the ministry to improve services offered to visitors.

Following a record-breaking year, 2023, which saw over 13.55 million Umrah performers, the forum will serve as an important platform for dialogue, exchange of expertise, and the unveiling of innovative services and solutions that foster the continuous development of the Umrah experience.

The event will boast several activities, such as dialogue sessions, discussion groups, interactive workshops, and an exhibition displaying the most recent advancements that have improved the Umrah and visit experiences at the Holy Mosques.

The forum will help create an environment that connects local and global participants in Umrah and visit, whose goal is to stimulate discussions, inspire innovation, and come up with services and products that boost the experience of Umrah performers and visitors.

It is expected to broaden local and international connections, promote collaboration and forge lasting partnerships in the service of Umrah performers and visitors.

Representatives of government agencies, Umrah operators, hospitality providers, transport and logistics companies, healthcare services, tech and telecom companies, AI pioneers, construction firms, travel agents, consumer product suppliers, and financial organizations will take part in the forum.

The event aims to attract entrepreneurs, CEOs, specialists, industry professionals, key decision makers, workers in the Umrah sector, non-profit institutions, representatives of local and international Umrah service companies, and local and international media outlets.

For three days, the forum will highlight the Kingdom's remarkable initiatives and projects that guarantee the comfort of Umrah performers and visitors, exemplary management and operational strategies, and innovative solutions that help improve the quality of services and make them sustainable.

It will also unveil new projects and facilities aimed at further improving and enriching the Umrah experience in line with Saudi Vision 2030.



Qatar: 'Positive Progress' in US-Iran Indirect Talks in Doha

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Qatar: 'Positive Progress' in US-Iran Indirect Talks in Doha

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

US and Iran negotiators made "positive progress" during indirect talks in Doha, with the next round expected after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said.

"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Wednesday on X.

"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."

Sources said negotiators from both countries spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and financial incentives for Iran -two pillars of a preliminary agreement signed in June - rather than the more difficult issues that the framework was believed to have paved the way to address.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said the two sides were making progress on potential restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, the main reason he said had prompted him to launch the war in February.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister and head of its delegation, said the talks had concluded. Neither side indicated whether they had narrowed their differences.


Interior Ministry: Drug Smuggling and Trafficking Network Arrested in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
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Interior Ministry: Drug Smuggling and Trafficking Network Arrested in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that security agencies are vigilant against all criminal schemes (SPA)

An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of a criminal network involved in drug smuggling and trafficking in the Riyadh region.

The source said Wednesday that 22 suspects were arrested, including 19 Saudi citizens, one of whom is an employee of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, as well as an Ethiopian national in violation of the Border Security Law, a Moroccan female resident, and a Yemeni male resident.

Legal procedures have been taken against them, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Ministry of Interior said the announcement reaffirms the vigilance of the security authorities in confronting all criminal plots aimed at targeting the Kingdom and its youth through narcotics.

It stressed that the security agencies will continue to confront anyone who attempts to undermine the Kingdom's security or the safety of its citizens and residents, regardless of who they may be.


Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign MoU to Boost Scientific and Training Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign MoU to Boost Scientific and Training Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Riyadh to review relations between the two countries and discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation and coordination between their respective ministries.

Following Wednesday’s meeting, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance scientific, training, and research cooperation between the Saudi and Pakistani interior ministries.

The agreement aims to support the exchange of expertise and capacity building in areas of mutual interest.

The meeting and signing ceremony were attended by Saudi Acting Vice Minister of Interior Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the Pakistani Ambassador to Riyadh, Ahmad Farooq, and several senior officials.