عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia Prepares for Ramadan, 2021 Haj Season Planning

FILE PHOTO - General view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque which is almost empty of worshippers amid lockdown due to the fear of coronavirus outbreak, at Muslim holy city of Mekkah, Saudi Arabia March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ganoo Essa
FILE PHOTO - General view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque which is almost empty of worshippers amid lockdown due to the fear of coronavirus outbreak, at Muslim holy city of Mekkah, Saudi Arabia March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ganoo Essa
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Prepares for Ramadan, 2021 Haj Season Planning

FILE PHOTO - General view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque which is almost empty of worshippers amid lockdown due to the fear of coronavirus outbreak, at Muslim holy city of Mekkah, Saudi Arabia March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ganoo Essa
FILE PHOTO - General view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque which is almost empty of worshippers amid lockdown due to the fear of coronavirus outbreak, at Muslim holy city of Mekkah, Saudi Arabia March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ganoo Essa

Saudi Arabia is meticulously preparing for the advent of Islam’s holy month of fasting, Ramadan. The kingdom is also monitoring the latest developments in plans for organizing the upcoming Haj pilgrimage season.

Over 95,000 foreign Umrah pilgrims have traveled to Saudi Arabia to date.

A virtual seminar focused on Saudi efforts for serving Haj and Umrah pilgrims during the coronavirus pandemic was attended by a number of senior officials that included Asir Governor Prince Turki bin Talal.

Ministers and officials who partook in the event hailed Saudi Arabia’s ability to secure and provide comprehensive care for visitors and pilgrims despite the challenges facing the world today.

In his opening speech at the symposium, Medina Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman confirmed that Saudi Arabia, since its inception, has shown keenness and dedication to providing visitors and pilgrims with ultimate care.

He also noted that Saudi Arabia’s proactive and preventative measures, that included suspending Umrah, have proved successful in stemming the spread of the coronavirus at a time when most countries were struggling with the pandemic.

Prince Faisal noted that restrictions are now being eased, and that pilgrims began to flock to the kingdom once again.

Implementing a comprehensive health methodology, the Kingdom continues to apply precautionary and proactive measures to preserve public health and limit infections.

Addressing the symposium on the Kingdom’s efforts in serving pilgrims and visitors, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten said that his ministry is working on operational plans to welcome the month of Ramadan and studying the developments related to the next Hajj season with the concerned authorities.

Benten said that around nine million beneficiaries took advantage of the ministry’s Eatmarna application.

“The technological programs have contributed to facilitate the performance of rituals in a professional and orderly manner, as well as to follow up the reports and indices related to performing Hajj and Umrah and harnessing them to unify and develop accurate plans for the coming Ramadan,” said Benten.

“The programs will also help, in addition, to carrying out studies about the health-related developments that the ministry is working on with the participation of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and all government agencies involved in serving visitors,” he added.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Preparations Intensify for UN Two-State Solution Conference Led by Saudi Arabia and France

The Foreign Ministers of France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan at the French Foreign Ministry on Friday ahead of a meeting dedicated to preparing for the New York conference on the two-state solution. (AP)
The Foreign Ministers of France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan at the French Foreign Ministry on Friday ahead of a meeting dedicated to preparing for the New York conference on the two-state solution. (AP)
TT
TT

Preparations Intensify for UN Two-State Solution Conference Led by Saudi Arabia and France

The Foreign Ministers of France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan at the French Foreign Ministry on Friday ahead of a meeting dedicated to preparing for the New York conference on the two-state solution. (AP)
The Foreign Ministers of France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan at the French Foreign Ministry on Friday ahead of a meeting dedicated to preparing for the New York conference on the two-state solution. (AP)

Preparations are intensifying for a major international conference aimed at advancing the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, set to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20.

The high-level event, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, seeks to reenergize global efforts toward a peaceful resolution and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

On Friday, simultaneous meetings in Paris and New York underscored the diplomatic push behind the initiative. In Paris, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot hosted his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan — Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Badr Abdelatty, and Ayman Safadi — for a working session devoted to coordinating positions and finalizing preparations.

The meeting signaled France’s determination to partner closely with Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, in spearheading the initiative.

French officials emphasized their confidence in Saudi Arabia’s regional and international influence, noting that Riyadh’s co-chair role was mandated by a UN resolution passed in December 2024.

Meanwhile in New York, UN delegates gathered for a preparatory session to assess the work of eight task forces established previously to craft practical recommendations on implementing the two-state framework. These groups have been focusing on key areas such as security, humanitarian aid, and post-conflict reconstruction.

The conference, according to French officials, will be open to all UN member states, as well as observer entities. Organizers hope for strong high-level participation, with the event expected to open with remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, followed by the President of the General Assembly and the conference co-chairs.

The opening session will include presentations by the heads of the eight task forces, summarizing their findings. A final document, described as a “roadmap” to a political solution, will be released at the end of the conference, focusing on actionable steps rather than abstract declarations.

French diplomats have stressed that the aim is not to revisit past resolutions, but to forge a path toward a practical and enforceable peace framework.

“There is a goal and a conviction,” said one French official. “The goal is to mobilize the international community around the need for a political solution. The conviction is that only a political path, not a military one, can bring lasting peace.”

Efforts are currently centered on four main areas. The first is international recognition of a Palestinian state. France believes that triggering an “irreversible momentum” in this direction is crucial. Over 50 countries have recognized the Palestinian state, but none of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council from the West have yet done so.

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed readiness to take this step, and his foreign minister has echoed that commitment.

A joint statement from France, the UK, and Canada earlier this week hinted at recognition, provoking sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned Paris against what he called a “reward for terrorism.”

The second pillar ties recognition of Palestine to normalization with Israel. “We want mutual recognition,” said a French foreign ministry spokesperson, emphasizing that both sides must be recognized for a two-state solution to be credible.

The third area focuses on reforming the Palestinian Authority, with calls for restructuring, democratic revitalization, and a firm stance against extremist factions. Paris views institutional reform as essential to ensuring the PA’s viability amid mounting pressure.

The fourth and most delicate component involves security guarantees for Israel. These include proposals to disarm Hamas, remove it from governing Gaza, and develop a regional security framework involving Israel.

Despite growing momentum, significant hurdles remain. Chief among them are the positions of the United States and Israel. Washington has yet to comment on the upcoming conference, and is widely viewed as hesitant to support unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Sources in Paris said Netanyahu has privately warned of “radical” reprisals if France proceeds with recognition, viewing such moves as undermining Israeli security and rewarding Hamas.