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Saudi Arabia: Safety of Hajj, Pilgrims Is a Red Line

Heads of security at the Hajj speak at the press conference on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Heads of security at the Hajj speak at the press conference on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia: Safety of Hajj, Pilgrims Is a Red Line

Heads of security at the Hajj speak at the press conference on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Heads of security at the Hajj speak at the press conference on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Director of Public Security and head of the Hajj Security Committee Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami stressed on Saturday the readiness of the security forces in handling “anything that may undermine security and order” during this year’s annual Hajj.

Speaking at a press conference detailing the security measures at the Hajj, he underscored that the security forces will prevent any acts that may affect the security and safety of the pilgrims

Security forces are active around the clock to ensure that order will be ensured and that any violations are addressed in a timely manner, he added.

Authorities have already busted 140 Hajj campaign scams and 4,032 individuals for violating regulations related to “Hajj without a permit” and returned 171,587 people who are not residents of the holy city of Makkah.

Al-Bassami said the Kingdom welcomes all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.

Security plans are in place so that the Hajj pilgrims will be able to carry out the holy rituals smoothly and easily, he told the conference in Makkah.

Saudi security will not allow anyone to violate this journey. “Instructions are clear, and all security forces are in service of the pilgrims. Whoever violates the security of the Hajj will be dealt with firmly and strongly,” he stated.

The security of Saudi Arabia, the pilgrims and the holy sites is a red line, he declared.

Moreover, Al-Bassami said security presence has been increased on the ground, which will help detect any forms of violations and allow for a swift response to them.

This also means that preventive measures will be taken to stop any crimes, crack down on pickpocketing and any other negative issues that may affect the security of the pilgrims, he went on to say.

Commander of the Special Emergency Forces at the Presidency of State Security Major General Mohammed Al-Omari stated that the forces are working on preserving security and order in Makkah and Madinah.

“They are protecting the visitors and preventing violators from accessing the holy sites. They are also managing the crowds and organizing the Jamarat phase of the Hajj,” he added.

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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)
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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.