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.



Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
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Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)

Iraq condemned on Friday the rocket and drone attacks against Kuwait earlier this week.

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty and security.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry underscored Iraq’s “rejection of all acts that threaten the security and stability of countries in the region.”

In a statement, it urged the need for restraint and avert escalation in the region, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve crises.

Iraq supports all international and regional efforts aimed at preventing the circle of violence from expanding, it added.

It also backs efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region.

Iraq did not pin blame on Iran. Kuwait condemned “the Iranian attacks” that targeted its territories, saying they were a “direct threat to civilians and vital installations.”

The US military on Thursday accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire in the region following the attack.


Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received on Friday Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab at the ministry’s headquarters in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of existing cooperation and security coordination between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

The Syrian interior minister praised this year’s Hajj season, which reflects the level of care the Kingdom extends to pilgrims, as well as its advanced organizational and operational capabilities that have contributed to providing a safe and smooth environment for pilgrims. He also commended the season’s integrated services and efficient crowd management.

Several senior officials attended the meeting.


Arab and Muslim Leaders Congratulate Saudi Arabia on Success of Hajj Season

Pilgrims are seen at the Prophet’s Mosque after they completed the Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Prophet’s Mosque after they completed the Hajj. (SPA)
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Arab and Muslim Leaders Congratulate Saudi Arabia on Success of Hajj Season

Pilgrims are seen at the Prophet’s Mosque after they completed the Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Prophet’s Mosque after they completed the Hajj. (SPA)

Several Arab and Muslim leaders extended congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the success of the 1447 AH Hajj season.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and wished the Kingdom continued progress and prosperity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Deputy Emir of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also sent congratulatory cables to the Saudi leadership on the success of the Hajj season.

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated the Saudi leadership on this great success, attributing it to Allah Almighty and the generous care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Saudi government.

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq expressed his appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Kingdom's government to serve pilgrims, praising the tangible development witnessed annually during the Hajj season through the use of the latest technologies and the mobilization of all resources to enable pilgrims to perform the rituals with ease, tranquility, and safety.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia on the successful Hajj season, praising the leadership, government agencies, and personnel whose dedicated efforts ensured its success.

The Kingdom also received congratulations from Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al Yamahi, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi, and President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas.