Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Be Held in Jeddah in November

The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
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Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Be Held in Jeddah in November

The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP), one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, will organize the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from November 8 to 11.

The event will bring together more than 520 entities from the government, private, and nonprofit sectors at the local and international levels. It will also bring together decision-makers from the government, private, and third sectors.

The conference reflects the leadership's continued commitment to serving pilgrims and Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop the Hajj services ecosystem and improve its quality. It supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

This year's event will serve as a key platform for early preparations for the next Hajj season. It will bring together relevant stakeholders to finalize contracts, discuss operational and regulatory matters, showcase solutions and initiatives, build partnerships, and enhance readiness for the upcoming season.

As a global platform for leaders, decision-makers, and specialists from around the world, the event will showcase solutions and practices and facilitate the exchange of expertise across three tracks.

The first track, Infrastructure and Operational Services, covers transportation and logistics, infrastructure and facilities management, housing and hospitality, and catering and nutrition. The second, Empowerment and Integration, focuses on safety and security, healthcare, media and communication, and technology and innovation. The third, Sustainable Development, covers the third sector, entrepreneurship, training and development, and enhancing the pilgrim experience.

Alongside the conference, an exhibition covering the Hajj services ecosystem will be held, bringing together entities and providers of services and solutions from more than 150 countries.

The exhibition will feature specialized communities comprising leaders, Hajj affairs offices, and service providers. It will include communities representing aviation, transportation, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, innovation, the workforce, investment, and business development.

The previous edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition attracted more than 204,000 visitors and 270 exhibitors from more than 150 countries. It featured 134 specialized sessions and workshops, while more than 2,600 trainees from around the world participated in its training programs.



12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
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12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on Saturday that an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured 309 others of various nationalities, while the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reported a projectile landing near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The Coalition said in a statement that operations at Riyadh airport had been temporarily suspended pending a damage assessment and safety checks in coordination with the relevant authorities.

It said the 12 people killed included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi residents, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, said a projectile had landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He also said a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia had been intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj province, while a drone had been destroyed in the Eastern Province.

Malki said the attack on a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh amounted to a fully-fledged war crime under international humanitarian law, adding that the coalition's joint command would respond to the attack.


UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned Saturday's deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport as a "dangerous escalation" and "contemptible".

"What we've seen overnight is a dangerous escalation and I'm afraid an increasing pattern of behavior from the Houthis that's targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia," he told Sky News.

"This is completely contemptible action and it's one of the reasons why the UK is providing support to Saudi Arabia in the form of air defenses, but also air-to-air refueling," he said.

"We want to see an end to this conflict. It cannot be right that the Houthis are attacking civilian targets in this way," he added.


Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A large crowd attended funeral prayers for Captain Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Guraigri Mosque in Jeddah on Saturday afternoon before his body was laid to rest at Al-Salhiyah Cemetery in the northeastern part of the city.

Relatives, friends, colleagues from Saudia Airlines, aviation sector workers and members of the public attended the funeral.

Mourners began arriving early to offer condolences to the family of Alkalthami, who was killed in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, with colleagues paying tribute in person and on social media, remembering his good character, warm smile and strong professional relationships throughout his career.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Salmeen Bahashwan, who worked with Alkalthami for more than 22 years at Saudia Airlines, remembered him as a kind, cheerful and compassionate colleague whose sincere smile and exemplary character left a lasting impression. He praised Alkalthami’s devotion to his wife and two daughters, his loyalty to colleagues and his willingness to support others, saying his many admirable qualities were difficult to capture in words.

Saudia mourned Captain Alkalthami, honoring his service and expressing condolences to his family and colleagues.

The airline also confirmed that an aircraft was damaged while parked on the airport tarmac, with no passengers on board. It said emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist those affected and provide support to their families.