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Benten to Asharq Al-Awsat: Qatari Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia Via Kuwait

An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
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Benten to Asharq Al-Awsat: Qatari Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia Via Kuwait

An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Benten confirmed the arrival of the Qatari pilgrims to Saudi Arabia via Kuwait to perform the pilgrimage in Makkah despite a decision from their country to remove an electronic access through which pilgrims coming from the country would register.

“There is no objection to welcome our brothers in Qatar wishing to perform the Hajj rituals,” Benten told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying there are clear Royal directives concerning this issue.

The minister said that the Qatari pilgrims can make the trip by air and land either at King Abdulaziz International Airport or Prince Mohammed Airport in Medina, adding that they would be treated as internal pilgrims.

Qatar has prevented its citizens from traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and has deleted the special electronic access established by the Kingdom for them to register for the fifth pillar of Islam.

Currently, there are around 1.5 million people from around the world in Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.

Until Tuesday, 821,080 pilgrims had arrived in Medina, according to daily data issued by the Unit of Media and Social Communication in Hajj Committee in Medina.

The Minister reiterated that the Kingdom welcomes all Qatari nationals wishing to perform the Hajj for this year and said they would be provided with all the facilities and services that will enable them to perform the pilgrimage in ease, peace and comfort.

Meanwhile, pilgrims started to leave for Medina on the fifth day of Dhul Hijjah month, which coincides on Thursday.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month as per the Islamic calendar.

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Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from President of Kazakhstan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA file)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA file)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from President of Kazakhstan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA file)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA file)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Tuesday a written message from President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on bilateral relations between their two countries.

The message was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah during a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh.

Gulf

Princes and Officials Take Oath Before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other officials are seen during the ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other officials are seen during the ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Princes and Officials Take Oath Before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other officials are seen during the ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other officials are seen during the ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Princes and officials appointed by royal orders to their new positions took the oath of office before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh on Tuesday.

They included Deputy Governor of Al-Baha Region Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki; Member of the Shura Council Prince Dr. Saad bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz; Deputy Governor of Madinah Region Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud; Deputy Governor of Northern Borders Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; and Minister of Investment Fahd Al-Saif.

They swore to be faithful to their religion, then their King and country, not to reveal any of the state’s secrets, to preserve its interests and regulations, and to perform their duties with honesty, trustworthiness, and sincerity.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Its Categorical Rejection of Israel’s ‘State Land’ Decision in West Bank

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Its Categorical Rejection of Israel’s ‘State Land’ Decision in West Bank

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government condemned on Tuesday Israel’s decision to West Bank lands as "state lands."

Reiterating its absolute rejection of these illegal measures, the Cabinet warned that they undermine peace efforts and violate the Palestinian people's inherent right to establish an independent, sovereign state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Riyadh.

The Cabinet congratulated citizens and Muslims on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, expressing gratitude for the Kingdom's honor in caring for the two holy mosques and their visitors.

The Cabinet highlighted the success of the Hajj and Umrah seasons, noting that the Kingdom welcomed 19.5 million international pilgrims and Umrah performers in 2025, setting new records that reflect rapid progress toward the goals of Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

The Cabinet described the Kingdom's Founding Day celebration on February 22 as an expression of pride in the Saudi state's nearly three-century history, underscoring the foundations of justice, unity, and development established by leaders and citizens throughout history to ensure the nation remains a global leader in all fields.

The Cabinet was briefed on recent talks between Saudi Arabia and various nations, which focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation and boosting coordination to foster regional and international security, stability, and prosperity.

The session further reviewed the Kingdom's economic, cultural, and social activities, stressing the state's commitment to social solidarity and giving. This includes continued support for the sixth National Campaign for Charitable Work, set to begin on Friday.

The Cabinet commended the success of the third World Defense Show held in Riyadh under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' patronage, during which strategic partnerships, agreements, and memoranda of understanding were signed to localize military technologies and strengthen local supply chains in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives.