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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
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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.

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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)
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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.

Gulf

Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
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Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)

Iraq condemned on Friday the rocket and drone attacks against Kuwait earlier this week.

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty and security.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry underscored Iraq’s “rejection of all acts that threaten the security and stability of countries in the region.”

In a statement, it urged the need for restraint and avert escalation in the region, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve crises.

Iraq supports all international and regional efforts aimed at preventing the circle of violence from expanding, it added.

It also backs efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region.

Iraq did not pin blame on Iran. Kuwait condemned “the Iranian attacks” that targeted its territories, saying they were a “direct threat to civilians and vital installations.”

The US military on Thursday accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire in the region following the attack.

Gulf

Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received on Friday Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab at the ministry’s headquarters in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of existing cooperation and security coordination between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

The Syrian interior minister praised this year’s Hajj season, which reflects the level of care the Kingdom extends to pilgrims, as well as its advanced organizational and operational capabilities that have contributed to providing a safe and smooth environment for pilgrims. He also commended the season’s integrated services and efficient crowd management.

Several senior officials attended the meeting.