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Interior Ministry Official: Tourism Companies Deceived Visit Visa Holders, Encouraging Hajj Violations

Colonel Al-Shalhoub noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly countries have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj - SPA
Colonel Al-Shalhoub noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly countries have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj - SPA
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Interior Ministry Official: Tourism Companies Deceived Visit Visa Holders, Encouraging Hajj Violations

Colonel Al-Shalhoub noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly countries have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj - SPA
Colonel Al-Shalhoub noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly countries have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj - SPA

Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub, the security spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, confirmed the success of the 2024 Hajj season's security plans.
In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Colonel Al-Shalhoub emphasized that the success of these security measures is a testament to the coordinated efforts between various security, military, and government agencies. These efforts ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals safely, peacefully, and tranquilly.
He reported that 83% of the total mortalities during the Hajj season, amounting to 1,079 out of 1,301, were among those without Hajj permits. He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
According to SPA, Colonel Al-Shalhoub also highlighted the proactive efforts to intensify media and awareness campaigns against performing Hajj without permits and to enforce stricter penalties for violators. He pointed out that some individuals have been abusing visit visas and other non-Hajj-specific visas.
Furthermore, Colonel Al-Shalhoub noted that some tourism companies in several brotherly countries have deceived visit visa holders by issuing visas not intended for Hajj and encouraging them to violate regulations by staying in the holy capital two months before the Hajj season.
He emphasized that a Hajj permit is not merely a transit card but a crucial tool that facilitates access to pilgrims and identifies their locations to provide necessary care and services promptly. The absence of a permit poses challenges in some violators to offer services and healthcare.
Colonel Al-Shalhoub mentioned the continuous updates through the Public Security’s official social media accounts about apprehending those who promote fake Hajj campaigns and referring them to the Public Prosecution. He also appreciated the strict measures taken by some brotherly countries against these deceptive companies and the corrective actions they have implemented to prevent future violations.

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Albudaiwi Praises International Coalition for a Two-State Solution to Grant Palestinians Their Legitimate Rights

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi - SPA
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi - SPA
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Albudaiwi Praises International Coalition for a Two-State Solution to Grant Palestinians Their Legitimate Rights

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

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, praised the launch of the International Coalition for a Two-State Solution, expressing hope that this coalition will help grant the Palestinian people their legitimate rights to establish their state and live in peace and security.
This statement was made during his speech at the ministerial meeting titled "The Situation in Gaza and Implementing the Two-State Solution as a Path to Just Peace," organized by the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and Norway, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
Albudaiwi noted that holding this important event comes at an extremely critical time, as the situation in Gaza has reached one of the most severe humanitarian crises of our modern era. He emphasised the GCC's commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at alleviating the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, SPA reported.
He called for decisive action from the international community in light of the ongoing crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, whose victims are the beleaguered Palestinian people, suffering from severe shortages of essential supplies, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of innocent lives, the majority of whom are women and children.
"These actions represent a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, and those responsible for these violations must be held accountable," he stated.
During his speech, the GCC Secretary General also commended the ministerial committee formed by the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit for its significant diplomatic efforts in garnering international support for a ceasefire, ending the Israeli aggression in Gaza, and enhancing recognition of the Palestinian state while ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to the neediest populations.
He expressed gratitude to all countries that have recognized the State of Palestine, urging other nations to take this step to affirm their commitment to international justice and support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state. Moreover, he renewed the GCC's call for an international conference that includes all relevant parties to end the occupation and ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He emphasized that this solution is the only way to achieve peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.
He pointed out that the international community must recognise that the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and repeated violations of Islamic holy sites, particularly Al Aqsa Mosque, exacerbate tensions in the region. "These practices not only threaten the prospects for peace but also constitute violations of international law, complicating the path toward a two-state solution, which remains the only viable option for achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace," Albudaiwi said.
In conclusion, he asserted that the time has come to turn words into actions, and the international community has a moral and legal obligation to take decisive steps, not only to provide immediate relief to Gaza but also to ensure a just and lasting peace. "The GCC stands ready to cooperate with all parties to achieve these goals," he concluded.