King Salman Sends Message to Oman’s Sultan amid Mediation to End Yemen Conflict

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman Sends Message to Oman’s Sultan amid Mediation to End Yemen Conflict

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the Omani capital Muscat on Monday to deliver an oral message from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

The Saudi official had arrived in Muscat amid anticipation of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ response to an Omani mediation to end the war in Yemen.

Oman’s state news agency (ONA) reported that the King Salman’s message tackled bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and sultanate.

Prince Faisal met with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi during his brief visit.

An Omani delegation had concluded last week a weeklong visit to the Houthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa to discuss a United Nations peace proposal with the militia leaders.

ONA did not report on the outcomes of the trip, but diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Omani officials likely informed the Saudi delegation of their results.

The sources revealed that an Omani delegation is expected in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday to brief them on the Sanaa trip.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed bin Mubarak had declared on Sunday that the legitimate government has yet to receive any response from Oman about its mediation.

A government official told Asharq Al-Awsat that mystery still surrounds the Omani efforts, “but the signals we have received so far are not encouraging, and unfortunately, negative.”



Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a comprehensive guide containing instructions and guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims and facilitating the performance of this year’s Hajj with ease, safety, and tranquility.

The guide includes directions on how to reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah and explains the designated pedestrian pathways leading to the areas for circumambulation (Tawaf) and walking between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i).

It highlights peak times at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, offers vehicle usage guidelines during the Hajj, and outlines instructions for managing pedestrian movement and crowd control.

These include adherence to scheduled group timings for Tawaf, Sa’i, and the stoning of the Jamarat across all stages of the Hajj.

The guide also features various safety and security tips to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and provides information on Hajj regulations, particularly the “No Hajj Without a Permit” rule and the fines for violations.

The ministry urged all individuals to comply with Hajj regulations, which are designed to safeguard the well-being of pilgrims and ensure a smooth Hajj. It also encouraged the public to report violations by contacting the authorities through dedicated hotlines.