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2 Million Hajj Pilgrims Ascend Mount Arafat

Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
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2 Million Hajj Pilgrims Ascend Mount Arafat

Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)

The Hajj pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat on Saturday, one of the holiest days of the annual rituals that kicked off on Friday.

The General Authority for Statistics announced Saturday that 2,096,023 pilgrims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia had arrived in the holy city of Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Governor of the Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal said Friday that the Kingdom was spending billions of dollars on projects that will better serve the pilgrims.

The Kingdom does not care so much about costs as it does about the comfort of its guests, he stressed during a press conference in Mina.

He revealed that more than 350,000 military and civilian personnel and 4,000 volunteers have been deployed to serve the pilgrims.

On plans to develop the holy sites, he said that preliminary studies of projects have been referred to the Makkah Region Development Authority, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

The projects have all received approval and finishing touches are being set for their execution, said Prince Khalid.

The goal is to develop Makkah into a modern and smart city with all advanced amenities demanded by this age and generations to come, he explained.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki said that the first phase of the Hajj was completed on Friday with the transfer of pilgrims to the Mina area.

Hajj is a top priority for Saudi Arabia and it is working tirelessly to ensure that pilgrims have a smooth experience, he added.

Security forces spokesman Sami al-Shweirekh said that all plans to organize the crowds are being executed without incident.

He revealed that 256 illegal Hajj operators have been busted and 16,903 people were returned to their homes for seeking to perform the pilgrimage without a permit.

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Gulf

OIC Welcomes Inclusion of Israeli Occupation Authorities, Entities on UN Blacklist

OIC Welcomes Inclusion of Israeli Occupation Authorities, Entities on UN Blacklist
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OIC Welcomes Inclusion of Israeli Occupation Authorities, Entities on UN Blacklist

OIC Welcomes Inclusion of Israeli Occupation Authorities, Entities on UN Blacklist

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the annual report of the United Nations Secretary-General, which included the listing of the Israeli occupation authorities and institutions among parties suspected of committing patterns of conflict-related sexual violence, based on documented information, testimonies, and evidence collected and verified through approved and specialized UN mechanisms, SPA reported.

The general secretariat described this step as a legal and humanitarian victory for Palestinian victims and a fundamental contribution to advancing justice, accountability, and ending the prolonged state of impunity.

The OIC general secretariat renewed its call for the international community to take firm measures to put an end to all ongoing crimes and violations committed by the Israeli occupation, hold those responsible accountable under international criminal law, and work to provide international protection for the Palestinian people.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Conveys Leadership’s Condolences on Death of Former Yemeni President

The Saudi Minister of Defense during his meeting with the family of the deceased, led by his brother Major General Nasser Mansour Hadi (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Defense during his meeting with the family of the deceased, led by his brother Major General Nasser Mansour Hadi (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Conveys Leadership’s Condolences on Death of Former Yemeni President

The Saudi Minister of Defense during his meeting with the family of the deceased, led by his brother Major General Nasser Mansour Hadi (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Defense during his meeting with the family of the deceased, led by his brother Major General Nasser Mansour Hadi (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz conveyed the condolences of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the family of former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi following his death.

During a meeting with the family in Riyadh, Prince Khalid expressed his deepest condolences to the family and to Yemen, its leadership, and its people.

The minister praised the late president’s leadership and his dedication to Yemen’s security, stability, development, and prosperity.

Prince Khalid prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow His mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased, grant him Paradise, and provide his family and the Yemeni people with patience and solace.

He also prayed for continued security and stability for Yemen and its people.

Gulf

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.