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

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
TT
TT

Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.