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Saudi Minister: We Will Not Allow Turning the Holy Sites into an Arena for Slogans

The daily press conference held during the Hajj season (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali).
The daily press conference held during the Hajj season (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali).
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Saudi Minister: We Will Not Allow Turning the Holy Sites into an Arena for Slogans

The daily press conference held during the Hajj season (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali).
The daily press conference held during the Hajj season (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali).

The official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, affirmed on Friday that Saudi Arabia will not allow the holy sites to be turned into arenas for slogans and chants that diverge from the purposes of Islamic Sharia.
He emphasized that the security and safety of the pilgrims is a red line that will not be compromised.
During the daily press conference for this year's Hajj season, Shalhoub announced the successful and smooth implementation of the first phase of the plan to transport pilgrims to the holy sites.
He stressed that security forces will continue to maintain a tight security cordon around the holy sites until the end of the Hajj season.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Abdali, the official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health, highlighted the ministry's readiness to serve the pilgrims for this year's season. He said all health plans have been successfully implemented.
"More than 35,000 healthcare professionals and members of the healthcare system, along with over 5,500 health volunteers, take pride in serving and caring for the guests of Allah”, said Al-Abdali.
A total of 189 hospitals and health centers, in addition to mobile clinics and field hospitals, 98 ambulance centers, 14 health monitoring centers at land, air, and sea entry points, and 32 trucks for distributing medical supplies, have been set to serve the guests of Allah in addition to many other facilitations.
Dr. Ayed Algwinm, the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, highlighted the significant developmental projects witnessed in the holy sites' infrastructure, including water networks, enhanced electrical capacity, aimed at improving services and raising the standard of accommodation.
The exceptional collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, have made this possible, he underscored.
Saleh Al-Zuaid, the official spokesman for the transportation and logistical services system said that Saudi airports had received over 19,000 incoming flights from approximately 90 countries as of Thursday.
He also mentioned that the Haramain High-Speed Railway has operated more than 2,700 trips since the beginning of the Hajj season. The Jeddah Islamic Port received 7 ships carrying pilgrims from Sudan and 129 ships carrying over 600,000 containers in total.
 

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Gulf

GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
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GCC-US Support for the Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA
The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was held in New York. SPA

Foreign Ministers from the Gulf and the US have announced their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

The Ministerial Meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US was convened on September 25 in New York, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who currently chairs the GCC Ministerial Council. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Ministers from GCC member states and Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi.

A statement issued on Thursday said the ministers announced “their support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel along the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”

The ministers stressed the need for all civilians displaced after October 7 to return to their homes and reaffirmed their belief that a durable peace is essential for a more integrated, stable, and prosperous region.

They also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity, effectiveness, and transparency of the Palestinian Authority, advocating for unified Palestinian-led governance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The ministers committed to supporting Palestinian aspirations for self-determination, ensuring that Palestinians are central to post-conflict governance and security in Gaza. They expressed support for improving the quality of life for Palestinians through humanitarian assistance and efforts to accelerate economic growth.

The statement said they expressed deep concern over rising levels of settler and extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and stressed the need for accountability for perpetrators. They called for a halt to unilateral actions, including settlement expansions, that hinder the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. They highlighted the importance of protecting all holy sites and places of worship while preserving the historic status quo in Jerusalem, recognizing Jordan’s special role.

On Gaza, the ministers committed to working towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.

They called for an increase in the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and stressed the urgent need to restore basic services and ensure protection for humanitarian workers. They highlighted the necessity for stakeholders to facilitate humanitarian distribution networks across Gaza to alleviate suffering and reiterated that all parties must ensure the safety of aid workers.

The ministers also underscored their shared commitment to the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US, building on the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent one in Riyadh on April 29. They emphasized the importance of strengthening consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields.