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Saudi Govt Approves Organization of National Center for Development of the Non-Profit Sector

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Approves Organization of National Center for Development of the Non-Profit Sector

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government approved on Tuesday the organization of the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the government meeting that was held virtually from Neom amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The center will work on organizing, overseeing and supporting the non-profit sector so that it can achieve its goals.

The ministers also approved the organizational structure of the General Secretariat of the Higher Umrah Committee.

At the onset of the meeting, King Salman briefed the ministers on the telephone talks he held with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and on the written message he received from Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The message was delivered by Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The cabinet reviewed the meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and his Kuwait counterpart earlier on Tuesday. They praised the historic relations between their brotherly countries, recalling King Salman and Sheikh Nawaf’s keenness on deepening these ties in service of their people.

The cabinet also reviewed the recent meetings of the Joint Saudi-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. The commission met in May and agreed on the second phase of the roadmap to implement high-profile Saudi-Russian strategic cooperation. They also agreed on cooperating in 60 areas and setting up 51 opportunities and projects as part of the roadmap.

The cabinet also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, as well as the latest developments related to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Penalties Imposed on Hajj Fraudsters

Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
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Penalties Imposed on Hajj Fraudsters

Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih

Several countries, whose citizens died during this year’s Hajj season, have revealed a joint effort with Saudi Arabia to tackle companies issuing unauthorized Hajj visas.

Despite Saudi Arabia’s extensive media campaigns warning against performing Hajj without proper permits and highlighting strict penalties, some pilgrims didn’t abide by the regulations which led to unfortunate outcomes.

Saudi Arabia on Monday commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas. These countries have taken steps to prevent future violations.

Meanwhile, Riyadh is treating both authorized and unauthorized pilgrims for heat exhaustion, with high temperatures causing the deaths of 1,301 pilgrims, most of whom were unauthorized.

Saudi Arabia and Jordan have accused tour companies of deceiving visitors by issuing unauthorized Hajj visas.

Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub said these companies encouraged visitors to break the rules by staying in Makkah two months before the Hajj season.

Jordanian government spokesman Muhannad Mubaideen confirmed that investigations found some citizens were deceived by unscrupulous individuals and certain offices, as reported by the Jordan News Agency (Petra).

On Tuesday, the Jordanian Judicial Council revealed the results of an investigation into unauthorized Hajj trips by Jordanians, which resulted in 99 deaths this year.

The council ordered the closure of companies that facilitated these illegal trips and seized their illegal earnings.

Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities have revoked the licenses of 16 tour companies for illegally organizing Hajj trips without providing services to pilgrims.

The officials of these companies have been referred to the public prosecutor, and the companies have been fined to compensate the families of deceased pilgrims, according to the Egyptian Cabinet.

Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farouk praised the excellent cooperation between Saudi and Egyptian authorities. He noted the high-level coordination on Hajj matters and other bilateral issues.

On his part, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Minister of Religious Affairs Brahim Chaibi following the deaths of 60 Tunisian pilgrims, as reported by the Tunisian Consulate in Jeddah.

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas praised Saudi Arabia’s successful organization of this year’s Hajj. He thanked the Saudi leadership for ensuring a smooth Hajj experience and highlighted the efficiency of the “Makkah Route” initiative.

Saudi Arabia emphasized that Hajj permits are not just entry passes but crucial tools for locating and providing timely care and services to pilgrims.

The Saudi Interior Ministry explained that the absence of permits made it challenging to reach some unauthorized pilgrims and obstructed the delivery of necessary services and care.