King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for this Year's Hajj

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for this Year's Hajj

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal directive to host 1,300 pilgrims from 100 countries to perform this year's Hajj, under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, which is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, General Supervisor of the program, expressed his profound gratitude to King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.  

He praised the generous directive as a testament to the wise leadership's dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of Saudi Arabia's steadfast position in the Islamic world, SPA reported.

Al Alsheikh stated that following the royal directive, the ministry immediately mobilized all its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to the guests.   

A comprehensive implementation plan has been meticulously prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural, and educational programs. These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims' experience.

He emphasized that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation is a unique initiative designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly, and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.   

Since its inception, the program has hosted approximately 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries. The ministry has provided the guests with a comprehensive range of logistical, religious, health, and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj.

The initiative clearly portrays the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, said Al Alsheikh.  

It aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and boost its positive presence on the global stage, thereby contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030's Islamic and humanitarian goals.



Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
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Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)

Since the start of the war on February 28, about 83% of missiles and drones launched by Iran have targeted Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, compared to 17% launched at Israel, reports indicate.

Official data shows that by Wednesday night, Iran had launched 4,391 missiles and drones at GCC vital infrastructure and civilian facilities, constituting a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability.

As for Israel, which has initiated the war, it was hit by 930 Iranian missiles and drones or just 17% of the total attacks in the region.

Data shows that Iran has launched a total of 723 missile and drone attacks at Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates bore the brunt of Iranian attacks with 2,156 missiles and drones, followed by Kuwait with 791 attacks, Bahrain (429), Qatar (270) and Oman with 22 drone attacks.

Gulf air defense systems have demonstrated exceptional efficiency and professionalism in neutralizing these threats, proving to be an impenetrable shield safeguarding the region’s security and stability.

Arab and Muslim nations condemned the Iranian attacks, urging Tehran to cease aggression and respect international law for regional stability.

But Iran has escalated military operations against GCC countries, directly threatening the global economy and international energy security.


Saudi Defense Minister Receives Phone Call from Hungarian Counterpart

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Receives Phone Call from Hungarian Counterpart

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Wednesday from his Hungarian counterpart Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments, including Iran's attacks on the Kingdom and several countries in the region, and their implications for regional and international security and stability.


Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Travels to France for G7 Meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah traveled to France on Wednesday to attend the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, taking place at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in the countryside outside Paris.

The meeting will address international issues and topics, including global governance reform, reconstruction challenges, maritime security, supply chains, and threats to peace and stability around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.