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Pilgrims Observe Tarwiyah in Mina, Pray at Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches its Peak

Hajj pilgrims from far and wide spent the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Hajj pilgrims from far and wide spent the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Pilgrims Observe Tarwiyah in Mina, Pray at Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches its Peak

Hajj pilgrims from far and wide spent the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Hajj pilgrims from far and wide spent the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

On Friday, Hajj pilgrims observed the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, following the prophetic tradition.
They enjoyed a peaceful and secure environment as they prepared for their journey to Arafat at dawn on Saturday, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, to perform the crucial ‘standing at Arafat’ ritual.
The movement of pilgrims to Mina was smooth, monitored by thousands of security personnel.
The Saudi government provided comprehensive care, mobilizing all resources to offer top-tier services, ensuring the pilgrims could perform their rituals with ease and comfort.
Thousands Gather at Al-Khaif Mosque in Mina
Al-Khaif Mosque in Mina was filled with several thousands of worshippers in a spiritual and secure atmosphere.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs launched a major upgrade to the mosque’s air conditioning, adding over 780 new units and 73 air purification systems.
These improvements ensure a constant flow of fresh air and keep the temperature inside at a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius.
Al-Khaif Mosque in Mina has long been a focus for Muslim leaders. Expanded in 1987, it now features four minarets, advanced lighting, air conditioning, and carpeting. It also includes a restroom complex with over a thousand facilities.
Pilgrims traveling to Mount Arafat benefit from extensive services provided by various government sectors to ensure their comfort and ease during their spiritual journey.
At Namirah Mosque in Arafat, pilgrims will perform combined and shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers after listening to the Arafat sermon by Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, Imam of the Grand Mosque.
The sermon will be translated into 20 languages, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leadership, tolerance, moderation, and global peace.
At sunset, pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah, where they perform Maghrib and Isha prayers.
They spend the night there until dawn on Sunday, the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
On Eid al-Adha, they will throw stones at the largest Jamarat pillar, perform the sacrificial slaughter, shave their heads, and then go to the Grand Mosque for Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
New Flexible Flooring Enhances Pilgrim Comfort
The Royal Commission for Makkah has installed flexible flooring at the holy sites using the latest technology. This project aims to make the pilgrimage more comfortable and safe by reducing the effort needed for walking and minimizing heat stress.
The flooring, made from recycled rubber, increases comfort, reduces injuries, improves the area's appearance, and lowers heat emissions.
Moreover, Makkah experienced a surge in electricity demand on Thursday, the eve of Tarwiyah, reaching 5,361 megawatts—a 20% rise from the previous year’s 4,451 megawatts.
The Saudi Electricity Company is actively managing power services across Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah during Hajj.
Highly skilled teams ensure reliability, readiness for emergencies, and swift response to maintenance and reports via the unified security operations center and social media.

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Gulf

Qatar, Bahrain Strongly Condemn Terrorist Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (SPA)
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (SPA)
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Qatar, Bahrain Strongly Condemn Terrorist Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (SPA)
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (SPA)

Qatar condemned the Houthi group's attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which resulted in two deaths, several injuries, and material damage.

Qatar described the attack as a serious violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and air navigation, SPA reported.

In a statement on Thursday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed support for all legitimate measures the Kingdom takes to protect its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and interests. The ministry emphasized that Saudi Arabia's security is an integral part of Qatar's security and the collective security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

The ministry conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Earlier, the Kingdom of Bahrain also strongly condemned and denounced the two heinous terrorist attacks targeting King Fahd International Airport.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these attacks were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic terrorist campaign. In less than two weeks, four consecutive attacks have targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and the Shaybah oil field.

According to SPA, the ministry described the attacks as a dangerous escalation targeting vital facilities and global energy security, requiring immediate international action beyond verbal condemnation.

The ministry reiterated Bahrain's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all sovereign measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its security, stability, and territorial integrity. It also affirmed Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter (UN), stressing that the Kingdom's security is an integral part of Bahrain's security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

The ministry extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to Saudi Arabia's leadership, government, and people, as well as to the families of the Saudi citizen and the Asian residents who lost their lives. It prayed that Allah Almighty grant the deceased His abundant mercy and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The ministry emphasized that the attacks constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter, as well as a direct assault on global energy security. It stressed that the attacks pose a threat to international peace and security, warranting action by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter.

The ministry called for firm and deterrent measures to halt repeated terrorist Houthi attacks against civilians, civilian objects, and vital and economic facilities. It also stressed the need to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 2216 and 2817, to safeguard regional and international peace and security.

Gulf

Coalition: Four UAVs Intercepted and Destroyed in Riyadh and Madinah Regions

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: Four UAVs Intercepted and Destroyed in Riyadh and Madinah Regions

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that four UAVs have been intercepted and destroyed in Riyadh and Madinah regions.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia: Sudan's Government Cannot Be Equated with Militias

Engineer Waleed al-Khuraiji, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation in the meeting hosted by Geneva on Wednesday (SPA)
Engineer Waleed al-Khuraiji, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation in the meeting hosted by Geneva on Wednesday (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Sudan's Government Cannot Be Equated with Militias

Engineer Waleed al-Khuraiji, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation in the meeting hosted by Geneva on Wednesday (SPA)
Engineer Waleed al-Khuraiji, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation in the meeting hosted by Geneva on Wednesday (SPA)

Saudi Arabia said the Sudanese government and Sovereignty Council cannot be equated with militias that have committed crimes against the Sudanese people, reiterating its rejection of parallel entities and illegal actions outside official institutions that undermine Sudan’s unity and do not reflect the will of its people.

The remarks were made on Wednesday by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Khuraiji at the sixth consultative meeting on coordinating peace initiatives and efforts in Sudan. He underscored the Kingdom’s efforts to secure a ceasefire, preserve Sudan’s unity and safeguard state institutions against collapse.

Al-Khuraiji said these efforts were based on the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023, and the short-term ceasefire agreement. He added that Saudi Arabia supported the Quad initiative and other regional and international efforts to reach a political solution that preserves Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

The deputy foreign minister stressed the importance of supporting the Sudanese government in its efforts to facilitate an intra-Sudanese dialogue inside the country. He said the Kingdom would continue working to end the war and restore stability in Sudan.

Saudi Arabia had announced $100 million in aid to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people and launched a public fundraising campaign through the Sahem platform. Total Saudi assistance to Sudan has exceeded $3.2 billion, in addition to a further $145 million in support, he added.

The aid was part of Sudan’s 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, al-Khuraiji said, referring to Saudi Arabia’s participation in a humanitarian coordination meeting on the Sudan crisis held in Berlin on April 15, 2026.

On the sidelines of the meeting, al-Khuraiji held separate meetings with Swiss Foreign Minister Alexandre Fasel, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, and Massad Boulos, the US president’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs.

The bilateral meetings covered relations between Saudi Arabia and their respective countries, prospects for cooperation, and efforts to promote security and peace in Sudan, as well as the latest regional and international developments.