Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
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Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology warned on Friday of heavy rains in Makkah and Al-Jumum Governorate including the centers of Rahat and Madrakah.

The rain will be accompanied by strong winds, lack of horizontal visibility, hail, torrents, and thunderstorms.

It said the weather conditions will continue until Friday night.

Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in cooperation with other government agencies working in the Grand Mosque, intensified cleaning and drying of the Mataf area (circumambulation track) after the rainfall witnessed in Makkah on Thursday to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and Umrah performers.

The authority mobilized more than 200 supervisors and observers, 4,000 workers, and more than 500 pieces of equipment to deal with the rain.

To ensure the thoroughness of the cleaning process, water suction and washing equipment were strategically distributed both inside and outside the Grand Mosque.



Egypt and Kuwait Align on Gaza Reconstruction, Reject Displacement

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait. (KUNA)
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Egypt and Kuwait Align on Gaza Reconstruction, Reject Displacement

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait. (KUNA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi concluded a three-day Gulf tour on Tuesday with a visit to Kuwait, following a stop in Qatar.

He held high-level talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in discussions described by analysts as both politically and economically significant given the volatile regional climate.

At the heart of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti summit were developments in the Gaza Strip, with both nations reaffirming the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the continuation of hostage and detainee exchanges, and the rapid entry of sufficient humanitarian aid, said a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

Both Cairo and Kuwait City expressed full support for the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza, stressing the importance of implementing the plan without delay once a ceasefire is reached.

The two leaders also reiterated their firm opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians and underscored the need for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue — one that ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Sisi's visit underscored what Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakry described as “a unified and coordinated stance between Egypt and Kuwait, as well as with other Gulf and Arab nations, during a critical period for the region.”

He noted that the outcome of the talks demonstrated “a shared commitment to ending the war in Gaza and moving quickly to implement the Arab reconstruction plan — a key objective that signals to the world the Arab world’s unified rejection of displacement and any efforts to erase the Palestinian cause.”

Beyond Gaza, Sisi and Sheikh Meshal also discussed broader regional developments, including the ongoing crises in Syria and Sudan. The leaders expressed support for the sovereignty and stability of the two nations, along with continued backing for Yemen’s legitimate government.

They also emphasized the strategic importance of safeguarding maritime security in the Red Sea and regional waterways.

In remarks carried by the Egyptian presidency, the Kuwaiti Emir hailed Sisi’s visit as a testament to the “deep and historic ties” between their countries, calling it an opportunity to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors — particularly economic and investment-related areas.

Sisi, for his part, affirmed Egypt’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Kuwait, especially in economic cooperation. He underlined the importance of increasing bilateral trade and investment to serve the mutual interests of both peoples.