Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah met on Friday with representatives of Hajj companies in Mina to evaluate performance, discuss areas for improvement, and begin early preparations for next year’s Hajj.

Al-Rabiah praised the support provided to the Hajj by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, saying their backing has helped in improving services for pilgrims and boosting their overall experience.

He commended the ongoing supervision and follow-up by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, which he said helped strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency during the Hajj season.

Al-Rabiah stressed that preparations for next year’s pilgrimage begin before the current season ends, reflecting the Hajj system’s continuous-work approach aimed at improving service quality and elevating the experience of pilgrims.

The minister stressed the importance of building on the successes achieved during this year’s Hajj and benefiting from lessons learned, performance indicators, and pilgrim satisfaction surveys.

Continuous development remains a core principle of the system serving the pilgrims, he declared.

The meeting reviewed several development initiatives related to digital services, contracting mechanisms, improving the pilgrim experience, and increasing the efficiency of services in housing, transportation, crowd movement, and support services.

The meeting falls within the ministry’s broader efforts to prepare early for the next Hajj season in line with the leadership’s directives to care for pilgrims and continue developing the Hajj system in a way that supports the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, and enhances the pilgrim experience throughout every stage of the spiritual journey.



Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
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Funerals Performed in Saudi Arabia for Victims of Aramco Helicopter Crash

The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)
The funeral prayer is performed at the Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. (SPA)

Funerals were performed in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region on Monday for the 14 victims of a Saudi Aramco helicopter crash.

Governor of the Eastern Region Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz performed the funeral prayer for seven of the victims at Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. Prayers were performed for three other victims in the al-Qatif region.

The Energy Ministry and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser offered their condolences over the martyrs.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. in Ras Tanura on Sunday, and everyone killed was a Saudi national, said the Energy Ministry in statement said. An investigation was opened into the cause of the crash.

An official source at the ministry said the aircraft was a Leonardo AW139. It was transporting oil sector workers from the underwater and offshore oil fields in the Gulf.


Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Qatar after Citizen Dies Following Recent Military Operations

Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Qatar after Citizen Dies Following Recent Military Operations

Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
Illuminated skyscrapers are pictured along the corniche promenade in Doha on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia offered its condolences to Qatar on Monday over the death of a Qatari citizen who was injured by shrapnel resulting from the recent military operations in the region. One resident was also wounded in the incident.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Kingdom expressed its solidarity with Qatar, its government and people, extending its condolences to the family of the deceased, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Qatar had on Sunday announced the death of a citizen and the injury of a resident, in a maritime incident, as a result of their being hit by shrapnel from military operations in the region.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said as part of routine monitoring and verification procedures for maritime vessels conducted by General Directorate of Coasts and Boarders Security, it was noted that a vessel with two individuals on board had failed to return at its scheduled time.

The Maritime Search and Rescue Team of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security located the missing vessel on Sunday.

Search operations confirmed that a Qatari citizen was martyred after sustaining injuries from shrapnel resulting from the military operations in the area. An Arab resident was also injured and has been transferred to hospital for medical treatment. He is in stable condition.


Saudi FM Kicks off Official Visit to China

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi FM Kicks off Official Visit to China

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah seen in Riyadh in May 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Beijing on Tuesday on an official visit to China.

He is scheduled to meet with senior government officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest.