GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."



GASTAT: Number of Umrah Performers Increases by 35% in Q3 2024

Muslims pray as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia - File Photo/SPA Handout via REUTERS
Muslims pray as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia - File Photo/SPA Handout via REUTERS
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GASTAT: Number of Umrah Performers Increases by 35% in Q3 2024

Muslims pray as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia - File Photo/SPA Handout via REUTERS
Muslims pray as they perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia - File Photo/SPA Handout via REUTERS

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced on Sunday the results of the Umrah Statistics Report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.

The report revealed that the total number of Umrah performers reached 6,254,751 in Q3 2024, representing a 35% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Male performers accounted for 57.4%, while females constituted 42.6% of the total. Saudi nationals made up 10.7% of all Umrah performers during the quarter.
The report indicated that the total number of external Umrah performers stood at 3,348,512, reflecting a 29.2% increase compared to Q3 2023. Among them, males accounted for 51% (1,707,514), and females made up 49.0% (1,638,743).
For internal Umrah performers, the total reached 2,906,239 in Q3 2024, marking a 42.4% increase compared to Q3 2023. Of this group, Saudi nationals totaled 671,729 (23.1%), while non-Saudis accounted for 2,234,510 (76.9%). Male internal Umrah performers totaled 1,883,199 (64.8%), while females accounted for 1,023,040 (35.2%), SPA reported.
The report highlighted that among external Umrah performers, the highest proportion (17.6%) were aged 35–44, while the lowest proportion (9.2%) were over 65 years old. Similarly, the largest group among internal performers was aged 30–39 (29.2%).
A total of 2,295,747 internal Umrah performers completed the Umrah rituals once during the quarter, with males representing 64% and females 36%. August recorded the highest number of single-time Umrah performers from within the Kingdom, accounting for 40.1% of the total.
The report also provided details on visa types for external performers in Q3 2024. Among them, 60.8% arrived with Umrah visas, 29.7% with other types of visas, 6.6% with electronic visit visas, and 2.9% with Gulf visas.