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Haramain High Speed Railway to Operate over 2,700 Trips During Ramadan

The Haramain High Speed Railway is gearing up to operate over 2,700 trips to meet the growing demand for transportation between Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
The Haramain High Speed Railway is gearing up to operate over 2,700 trips to meet the growing demand for transportation between Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
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Haramain High Speed Railway to Operate over 2,700 Trips During Ramadan

The Haramain High Speed Railway is gearing up to operate over 2,700 trips to meet the growing demand for transportation between Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)
The Haramain High Speed Railway is gearing up to operate over 2,700 trips to meet the growing demand for transportation between Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan. (SPA)

The Haramain High Speed Railway is gearing up to operate over 2,700 trips to meet the growing demand for transportation between Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan.

The train, capable of reaching speeds of 300 km/hr, will cover the 449 km distance between the two holy cities in just under two and a half hours.

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has collaborated with the operating company to prepare a plan that will keep pace with the expected surge in demand.

The train ranks among the 10 fastest electric trains globally and is equipped with advanced signaling and communications systems. It plays a crucial role in the development plan and expansion program of the Saudi railway network, aiming to accommodate the increasing number of Umrah performers and visitors domestically and internationally, while also reducing congestion on the roads between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.

Launched in 2018, the Haramain High Speed Railway facilitates the movement of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors between the three cities with a double railway line spanning 453 km.

The train route includes five stations, including three terminals: the Makkah Station, the Madinah Station, and the King Abdulaziz Airport station in Jeddah, as well as two central stations, the main Jeddah station located in the Sulaymaniyah district, and the King Abdullah Economic City station.

The Haramain High Speed Railway station at King Abdulaziz Airport is the world's largest airport-linked train station, covering an area of over 105,000 square meters, extending over several floors, and connected to six train platforms. The station helps alleviate congestion on the roads leading to King Abdulaziz Airport by transporting arriving passengers directly to other stations without the need to leave the airport and use other means of transportation.

The Haramain High Speed Railway fleet comprises 35 electric trains, each capable of carrying 417 passengers in 13 cars divided into five business class compartments, a cafeteria, and eight economy class compartments. The total number of business class seats is 113, while the total number of economy class seats is 304.

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Gulf

GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed the council's strongest condemnation of the flagrant Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates.

He emphasized that this act of aggression constitutes a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a GCC member state and represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

He stressed that targeting the UAE is unacceptable and reprehensible behavior by all standards, reflecting an escalatory approach that disregards the rules of international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

Furthermore, he called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities to halt these repeated Iranian attacks and put an immediate end to irresponsible actions that undermine regional and international peace and security.

Albudaiwi underlined the GCC’s full and steadfast solidarity with the UAE, standing as a united front in support of all measures taken to protect its security, safeguard its sovereignty, and preserve the safety of its vital facilities.

Gulf

MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned Iran’s targeting of civilian and economic facilities in the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa condemned Iran's attacks, describing them as criminal acts that violate all religious principles as well as international humanitarian law.

He stressed the league’s full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

On Monday, the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack by Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.

Gulf

Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)

Kuwait has renewed its deposit at the Central Bank of Egypt, a move that reinforces ties between the two countries.

Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Ghanem Saqr Al-Ghanem told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension followed “a thorough study” and reflects Kuwait’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s economy as “a fundamental pillar of Arab and regional security.”

He added that relations between the two countries are “at their best.”

Al-Ghanem described the decision as “a new step reflecting the strength of the special and strategic relations between the two brotherly countries,” adding it confirms continued Kuwaiti support for Egypt amid regional and international challenges.

He noted that the renewal highlights Kuwait’s commitment to Egypt’s economic stability and reflects “deep-rooted ties, shared interests and solidarity in facing regional challenges.”

An Egyptian banking expert told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension will bolster foreign currency reserves, support the economy and “shut down rumors” that the deposit would not be renewed.

The step underscores strong relations and is likely to enhance future partnership and investment between the two countries, he added.

A report by the Central Bank of Egypt on the country’s external position said Kuwait renewed a $2 billion deposit that had been due to mature in September 2025, extending it to September 2026.

The report, cited by Egyptian media on Sunday, said Kuwaiti deposits consist of two tranches of $2 billion each. One has been extended to next September, while the other matured in April. The report, which covers the first quarter of the current fiscal year, did not specify whether the April tranche was also renewed.

It added that long-term Arab deposits at the central bank stood at $9.3 billion at the end of September 2025, including $5.3 billion from Saudi Arabia and $4 billion from Kuwait, split across two deposits renewed annually in April and September.

In December 2025, Kuwait renewed a separate $2 billion deposit for another year through April 2026 to support Egypt’s foreign currency reserves, according to the same report.

Banking expert Mohamed Abdel Aal said the latest extension will support Egypt’s economy across key indicators, particularly reserves, and could pave the way for deeper cooperation, whether through continued deposits or converting them into investments that strengthen bilateral partnership.