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Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Entry for Umrah Pilgrimage, Tourism

Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City, on February 22, 2020, before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City, on February 22, 2020, before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Entry for Umrah Pilgrimage, Tourism

Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City, on February 22, 2020, before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
Kuwaitis coming back from Iran wait at Sheikh Saad Airport in Kuwait City, on February 22, 2020, before being taken to a hospital to be tested for coronavirus. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage, as part of measures to stop the spread of the noval coronavirus.

"The Kingdom's government has decided to take the following precautions: suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the Prophet's mosque temporarily," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Suspending entry into the Kingdom with tourist visas for those coming from countries, in which the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a danger,” it said.

Saudi Arabia has had no cases of the coronavirus but it has been spreading in some neighboring countries.

The virus first appeared in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December.

“Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in its statement.

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Saudi Arabia Calls for Halting Violations Committed Against Palestinians

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
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Saudi Arabia Calls for Halting Violations Committed Against Palestinians

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission

Saudi Arabia has denounced all violations committed against the Palestinian people, with the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, predominantly women and children, in the Gaza Strip.

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah, delivered on Wednesday the Kingdom’s statement during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, reiterating Saudi Arabia's firm rejection of the tragic situation and stressing the urgent need to put an end to it.

Baakdah highlighted the Kingdom’s hosting of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, which adopted resolutions showing the unified will of Arab and Islamic nations.

She underscored the summit’s plea for an end to bloodshed, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and the fulfillment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to reclaim their occupied territories and establish their independent state.

The diplomat said the Kingdom lauded the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on May 10, backing the eligibility of the Palestinian state for full membership in the United Nations.

Baakdah emphasized Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for actions taken by Norway, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Armenia in acknowledging the Palestinian state, while urging other nations to follow suit with bilateral recognition.

Recognizing the collective duty to actively support the realization of an independent Palestinian state, Saudi Arabia -- in collaboration with its partners in the Ministerial Committee appointed by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza Strip developments, as well as Norway and the European Union -- initiated a global alliance to push for the implementation of a two-state solution. The Kingdom calls upon all parties to join the initiative.