Two Holy Mosques Welcome Over 122 Million Visitors During Ramadan

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Two Holy Mosques Welcome Over 122 Million Visitors During Ramadan

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque said that over 122 million worshippers prayed at the holy site during Ramadan.

A total of 122,286,712 visited, including 16,558,241 performing Umrah, 75,573,928 praying at the Grand Mosque, and 30,154,543 visiting the Prophet's Mosque, it revealed according to the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

To efficiently manage the massive crowds, the authority adopted advanced technology, employing sensor readers at the main entrances of the Grand Mosque.

This technology allows real-time monitoring of crowd flow, improving operational efficiency and crowd management in collaboration with relevant authorities.



Saudi-Backed Initiative Trains Yemeni Teachers in Digital Skills

The program will train 500 male and female teachers in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Socotra. (SDRPY)
The program will train 500 male and female teachers in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Socotra. (SDRPY)
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Saudi-Backed Initiative Trains Yemeni Teachers in Digital Skills

The program will train 500 male and female teachers in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Socotra. (SDRPY)
The program will train 500 male and female teachers in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Socotra. (SDRPY)

A Saudi-backed initiative to strengthen Yemeni teachers’ digital skills has been launched as part of broader efforts to modernize education and equip educators to integrate technology into the classroom.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) is implementing the “Digital Empowerment for Yemeni Teachers” project in partnership with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at King Abdulaziz University.

The program will train 500 male and female teachers in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Socotra.

The project aims to strengthen teachers’ digital and professional skills through a blended training program combining in-person instruction with remote learning via videoconferencing, enabling participants across the targeted governorates to take part.

The curriculum focuses on integrating digital technologies into teaching, improving educational content and instructional methods, and enhancing the capacity of Yemen’s education workforce to keep pace with rapid technological change.

The initiative is part of a broader SDRPY effort to support human development, reflecting its view of education as a cornerstone of sustainable development and institutional capacity building.

The training program consists of two main tracks. The first focuses on artificial intelligence applications and AI-generated subject-specific content, enabling teachers to use modern digital tools to develop and enhance instructional materials.

The second covers digital instructional design, training participants to create interactive educational content in line with modern teaching practices, strengthen digital learning environments and increase student engagement.

The project is expected to expand the use of digital solutions in schools and educational institutions while building a teaching workforce better equipped to adapt to technological advances.

It builds on SDRPY’s broader support for Yemen’s education sector, spanning general, higher, technical and vocational education through the construction and equipping of model schools, university development, the establishment of colleges and institutes, and teacher training.

SDRPY has implemented 287 projects and initiatives since its establishment across eight key sectors: education, health, energy, water, transport, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and capacity building for Yemen’s legitimate government, with the aim of supporting stability and improving basic services across the country.


Saudi Leadership Congratulates US President on Independence Day

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates US President on Independence Day

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - File Photo

Saudi Arabia's leadership congratulated US President Donald Trump on the United States' Independence Day, underscoring the close ties between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of congratulations to Trump wishing him good health and happiness, and the government and people of the US steady progress and prosperity.

He also praised the distinguished Saudi-US relations and their ongoing development across various fields.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister sent a separate cable conveying similar wishes to the US president and the American people.


Saudi Interior Minister Stresses Kingdom's Firm Support for Syria

02 July 2026, Syria, Damascus: A member of the Syrian security sits in a cafe after an explosion near the Palace of Justice. Photo: Mohammed Al Rifai/dpa
02 July 2026, Syria, Damascus: A member of the Syrian security sits in a cafe after an explosion near the Palace of Justice. Photo: Mohammed Al Rifai/dpa
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Saudi Interior Minister Stresses Kingdom's Firm Support for Syria

02 July 2026, Syria, Damascus: A member of the Syrian security sits in a cafe after an explosion near the Palace of Justice. Photo: Mohammed Al Rifai/dpa
02 July 2026, Syria, Damascus: A member of the Syrian security sits in a cafe after an explosion near the Palace of Justice. Photo: Mohammed Al Rifai/dpa

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz held a phone call on Saturday with his Syrian counterpart, Anas Khattab, stressing steadfast support for Damascus.

During the call, the two sides reviewed relations between the two countries, discussed ways to enhance security cooperation and coordination between the two ministries, and addressed a number of issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The call also covered recent security developments in Syria, foremost among them the recent terrorist bombing in Damascus, SPA said.

Prince Abdulaziz affirmed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the attack and its full solidarity with Syria in confronting all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, the news agency said.

He also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast support for Syria’s security and stability, it added.