Saudi Arabia to Resume Sunday Second Phase of Umrah

Saudi Arabia to Resume Sunday Second Phase of Umrah
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Saudi Arabia to Resume Sunday Second Phase of Umrah

Saudi Arabia to Resume Sunday Second Phase of Umrah

Saudi Arabia will resume on Sunday the second phase of Umrah pilgrimage as part of the gradual return to performing the ritual, some seven months after it was suspended due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is expected to receive 220,000 to perform rituals and 560,000 worshippers.

The 14-day second phase will allow citizens and residents in the Kingdom to perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque at a 75 percent capacity (15,000 pilgrims per day, 40,000 worshippers per day) amid strict social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

The Kingdom has allowed citizens and residents to start performing Umrah as of Oct.4 at 30 percent capacity, or 6,000 pilgrims a day. It will open for Muslims from abroad starting Nov. 1.

The General Presidency urged all worshipers and pilgrims to adhere to the specified times according to the issued permits, as well as the precautionary measures, stressing wearing face masks and sanitizing hands regularly.

The Health Ministry announced on Friday 433 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the infection tally to 341,495 cases, including 8,556 active cases undergoing treatment 835 of which are critical cases.

Meanwhile, 468 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus have recovered, raising the total recoveries to 327,795.

The ministry explained that 43 percent of the cases are females and 57 percent are males, and children account for 10 percent, adults 86 percent and the elderly four percent.

It also reported 17 new deaths, raising the death toll to 5,144.

The United Arab Emirates recorded 1,412 new cases in the past 24-hours, rasing the infection tally to 112, 849 cases.

According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the infected individuals are from various nationalities, adding that they are in a stable condition and are receiving the necessary care.

MoHAP also announced three new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 455.

It also announced conducting 116,470 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

Kuwait on Friday reported 729 new COVID-19 cases and six more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 114,744 and the death toll to 690 in the country, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

Currently, 7,559 patients are receiving treatment, including 136 in ICU, according to the statement.

The ministry also announced the recovery of 649 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 106,495.

Bahrain’s Health Ministry announced on Friday daily confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 333 and deaths increased by two to 290.

Some 452 new recoveries were also reported for a total of 73,013, as compared to 3,651 currently active cases, according to a ministry statement.

Qatar’s Health Ministry announced 189 new COVID-19 cases, with no new deaths.

According to its statement, 204 cases have recovered, raising the recoveries to 123,006.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s security and stability on Tuesday, calling for respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while voicing deep concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.

In an address before the UN General Assembly during a session on the situation in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, urged the international community to intensify efforts to deliver urgent humanitarian aid, alleviate suffering, and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

“The Kingdom stresses the importance of empowering Afghan women and enhancing their rights to education, work and participation in public life,” Al-Wasil told the gathering, citing the outcomes of the recent “Conference on the Status of Women in Islam,” hosted in Jeddah.

He also highlighted the humanitarian support extended by Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s ongoing crises.

Al-Wasil warned against allowing Afghan territory to become a safe haven for terrorism or a hub for narcotics trafficking, which he said would pose a serious threat to regional and global security.

The Saudi envoy reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to supporting political, humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at achieving lasting stability in Afghanistan.