Bahrain Calls For Safeguarding Region From More Violence, Destruction

 Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
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Bahrain Calls For Safeguarding Region From More Violence, Destruction

 Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)

Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed Monday the importance of taking all necessary steps to avoid violence and destruction in the region, whilst affirming the Kingdom’s firm stance against all forms of terrorism and extremism.

He praised Bahrain’s cooperation with its international allies in safeguarding regional security and stability.

The Crown Prince spoke from the Gudaibiya Palace on Monday as he received Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, the Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, and the Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameer Abdulla Nass.

Al Khalifa affirmed the Kingdom’s dedicated efforts to enhance its security and preserve the nation’s prosperity and achievements across many fields, which have been accomplished through the solidarity and efforts of Bahraini people under the leadership of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He underlined the importance of meeting the aspirations of Bahraini citizens, who remain at the core of the government’s development efforts. In this regard, and in line with the King’s Royal directives, the Crown Prince instructed the allocation of five thousand housing units to citizens across the entire Bahraini governorates.

He called attention to the importance of upholding the Kingdom’s values orientated around community and solidarity as well as the principles of coexistence and pluralism, which are representative of Bahraini society.

The Crown Prince listed the positive economic results achieved by the Kingdom as shown in the Bahrain Economic Quarterly report for the third quarter of 2019, stressing the importance of continuing to diversify the economy and introduce initiatives that stimulate economic growth within the framework of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

He concluded by noting the success of the National Employment Program (NEP), which has benefitted over 9,000 job seekers since its launch in February 2019.



Iranian Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia to Return Home via Jadidat Arar Crossing

The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
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Iranian Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia to Return Home via Jadidat Arar Crossing

The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)

Iranian pilgrims began departing Saudi Arabia on Sunday in organized batches under a joint air-and-land travel program, authorities said, following the closure of Iranian airspace following strikes between Iran and Israel.

The move came in line with a directive by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in response to guidance from Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The first group of pilgrims left Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, heading to Arar Airport near the Saudi border. From there, they will continue their journey overland to the Jadidat Arar border crossing into Iraq.

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization announced that the return of pilgrims to their country will begin on June 15, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.

The agency said the arrangements were made in cooperation with the Saudi government. Pilgrims will be flown by Saudi Airlines from Madinah to Arar Airport near the Iraqi border.

From Arar, pilgrims will continue by dedicated buses to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, where they will stay briefly to perform religious visits at the shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt.

Afterward, they will resume their journey to the Iran border using an Iranian land transport fleet before entering the country.

Crown Prince Mohammed had instructed the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide all necessary support to ensure the safe return of Iranian pilgrims and to facilitate their departure given the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

With direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Iran suspended, a carefully coordinated plan was implemented to evacuate approximately 77,000 stranded pilgrims.

The first group of pilgrims arrived at Jadidat Arar on Sunday. Several daily flights to Arar, each carrying around 350 pilgrims, are being conducted, with roughly 3,000 pilgrims transported each day as part of this initial phase.

These efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian approach to hosting and serving the guests of the Two Holy Mosques, ensuring their safe return home despite complex regional challenges.

The operation underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to facilitating pilgrimage for people of all nationalities.