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Gulf

Doha to Host Gulf-Türkiye, Gulf-Yemen Ministerial Meetings Sunday

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council receiving the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs (GCC)
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council receiving the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs (GCC)
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Doha to Host Gulf-Türkiye, Gulf-Yemen Ministerial Meetings Sunday

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council receiving the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs (GCC)
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council receiving the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs (GCC)

The Qatari capital, Doha, is poised to host two ministerial meetings—one Gulf-Turkish and the other Gulf-Yemeni—aimed at deliberating on bilateral relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Türkiye, and Yemen, seeking to bolster and elevate them.
The agenda also includes discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Rafah, along with its political, security, and humanitarian developments.
According to the GCC, its Secretary-General, Jasim Al-Budaiwi, met on Thursday with Shaya Mohsin Al-Zindani, the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, underscoring the significance of the joint ministerial meeting of foreign ministers from GCC countries and Yemen.
The Secretary-General reiterated the GCC’s full support, as articulated in the statement of the Supreme Council of the GCC in its 44th session, for the Presidential Leadership Council headed by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and the supporting entities, to achieve security and stability in Yemen.
This reaffirms the GCC’s backing for efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, in accordance with the three references: the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216, to achieve security and stability in Yemen.
Al-Budaiwi also discussed with the Turkish Ambassador to Riyadh, Emrullah İsler, on Wednesday, the key preparations for the upcoming Sixth High-Level Strategic Dialogue of Foreign Ministers of GCC countries and Türkiye, scheduled to take place next Sunday in Doha.
The strategic dialogue meetings commenced in September 2008 in the western Saudi province of Jeddah, affirming the ministers’ shared desire to enhance and diversify these close relations across all fields.
The fifth meeting took place in October 2016 at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat General in Riyadh. During this meeting, ministers expressed their satisfaction with the fifth round of the strategic dialogue, aiming to make progress on shared priorities.

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Gulf

Saudi Passports Boost Readiness for Ramadan Umrah

Professional conduct and swift processing are among the most prominent traits of passport personnel (SPA)
Professional conduct and swift processing are among the most prominent traits of passport personnel (SPA)
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Saudi Passports Boost Readiness for Ramadan Umrah

Professional conduct and swift processing are among the most prominent traits of passport personnel (SPA)
Professional conduct and swift processing are among the most prominent traits of passport personnel (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports is leading frontline operations to receive visitors and Umrah performers from around the world during the holy month of Ramadan, serving as the first point of contact in their journeys.

Backed by an integrated operational system combining trained personnel and advanced technology, the directorate is working to ensure smooth transit through international entry points, reflecting the level of institutional transformation underway across the Kingdom’s service and security sectors.

The use of technology and intensive training has helped reduce processing times.

With an expected rise in the number of Umrah performers during the holy month, the Passports Directorate has intensified operational readiness at air, land and sea ports under a plan aimed at cutting processing times, improving service quality and enhancing the pilgrim experience from arrival to departure.

Major Nasser Al-Otaibi, official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Passports, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the directorate is focused on facilitating entry and exit procedures for Umrah performers across all international ports through comprehensive operational plans.

These include deploying trained personnel, providing the latest technical equipment and using advanced electronic systems to speed up travel procedures, with the goal of completing processes smoothly and reducing congestion and waiting times.

Al-Otaibi said the directorate has deployed the latest technologies and smart systems as part of its operational plan for the season, contributing to faster entry and exit procedures and ensuring smooth movement at all ports.

Modern technologies enable travelers to complete procedures independently in record time.

He added that these technologies and systems help shorten processing times and raise service quality. The integrated technical system aims to achieve the highest levels of operational efficiency and enhance the experience of pilgrims, reflecting the development of passport services.

On coordination with other entities, Al-Otaibi said integration between the General Directorate of Passports and other security and service bodies is a key element in improving field performance, especially during high-density seasons such as Ramadan.

He said the directorate operates within an integrated security and service system that includes relevant security and other authorities.

This integration relies on direct technical linkage, facilitating rapid verification of information, accuracy of procedures and timely decision-making.

Advance coordination also helps unify operational plans, distribute human resources and manage passenger flows inside travel halls to ensure smooth movement and reduce waiting times without compromising security.

Al-Otaibi said the joint work reflects the concept of a “single system,” with roles integrated across sectors to achieve a unified goal of efficiently serving pilgrims while enhancing the security and safety of entry points.

On training and reducing processing times, the spokesperson said continuous qualification and training plans for passport personnel have had a direct and tangible impact on the quality of service provided to Umrah performers, particularly during peak periods that require high readiness and swift performance.

He stressed that the directorate is implementing specialized training programs covering regulatory and technical aspects, as well as skills in dealing with a multilingual and multicultural public, in addition to crowd management and working under pressure.

This training enhances personnel’s ability to complete procedures accurately and quickly while maintaining a humane approach in dealing with pilgrims.

Al-Otaibi said the training has yielded measurable results, including shorter processing times, higher pilgrim satisfaction and an effective balance between speed and security requirements, reflecting the professionalism of national cadres serving pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing a large influx of Umrah performers from abroad, which typically peaks in the final days of Ramadan, along with domestic pilgrims. The current season is expected to record higher numbers compared with the same period in previous seasons, particularly given the strong figures announced in the first days of the month.

On Saturday, 4 Ramadan, the Grand Mosque recorded the highest number of Umrah performers since the start of the month at around 904,000.

Previously, Saudi Arabia announced that the number of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Ramadan 2025 reached about 122,286,712 Umrah performers and worshippers.

Of those, more than 16 million were Umrah performers, compared with 75,573,928 worshippers at the Grand Mosque and 30,154,543 worshippers at the Prophet’s Mosque, all of whom were provided services from arrival until departure.

Gulf

Saudi Leadership Congratulates Emir of Kuwait on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates Emir of Kuwait on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Wednesday a cable of congratulations to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on his country's National Day.

King Salman wished Sheikh Meshal continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Kuwait steady progress and prosperity. He also praised the fraternal relations that bind their countries.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Sheikh Meshal a similar cable on the occasion.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Opens Registration for Domestic Pilgrims for 2026 Hajj 

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Opens Registration for Domestic Pilgrims for 2026 Hajj 

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Tuesday that registration was open for domestic pilgrims to perform this year’s annual Hajj.

It said people can register through the Nusuk mobile phone app and through its website.

Priority will be given at the beginning for people who have not performed the Hajj before.

Applicants should be at least 15 years of age and meet the necessary health requirements.

Residents must have a valid residency permit, with priority to those who have been living in the Kingdom for over a year.

Applicants must be in good health and not be suffering from severe or infectious chronic diseases. They must have also taken the meningitis and seasonal flu vaccines.