Translators of 25 Languages to Assist 60,000 Pilgrims in Hajj 2021

 Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi launched, via videoconference, on Wednesday the operational plan for Hajj season 1442 H (2021) -SPA.
Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi launched, via videoconference, on Wednesday the operational plan for Hajj season 1442 H (2021) -SPA.
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Translators of 25 Languages to Assist 60,000 Pilgrims in Hajj 2021

 Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi launched, via videoconference, on Wednesday the operational plan for Hajj season 1442 H (2021) -SPA.
Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi launched, via videoconference, on Wednesday the operational plan for Hajj season 1442 H (2021) -SPA.

Preparing for yet another exceptional Hajj season under the coronavirus pandemic, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry announced preparing a team of 40 official translators that speak 25 different languages to help guide this year’s 60,000 pilgrims.

With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting the world, the Kingdom had decided to limit the Hajj 2021 season to 60,000 pilgrims.

The pilgrims, both citizens and residents, were selected from within the Kingdom.

This move was taken to preserve the health and safety of pilgrims and ensure that the Hajj rituals are held in a safe and healthy environment with the application of preventive measures.

In a Wednesday press conference, the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced employing over 8,000 personnel to help execute this year’s extraordinary operational plan that focuses on preventive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The measures ordered by the Presidency include setting up thermal cameras at gates designated for pilgrims, establishing health centers inside the Grand Mosque in coordination with the Ministry of Health, and ensuring that all front-line employees are vaccinated.

More so, vaccines and masks will also be offered to pilgrims.

Additionally, the holy site will be washed and sterilized ten times daily, using approximately 60,000 liters of disinfectant materials per day. One hundred pieces of equipment will be designated for cleaning the site.

More than 4,000 cleaners and 11 robots will also be operating on hygiene maintenance.

The Presidency allocated 40 translators who speak 25 languages to help non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims. It also secured ten radio frequencies channels to broadcast in Mount Arafat and the Grand Mosque.

A live broadcast of the translations of the Quran and Sunnah channels will be played in both English and French.

The Presidency also took measures to distribute bottles of Zamzam water to pilgrims.



MWL Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Groups

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Groups

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) welcomed the US designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, emphasized that “Islam is not represented by those who deviate from its principles and values, nor by those who distort the meanings of its texts to justify extremism and violence, or exploit them to stir discord, divide the Islamic community, and destabilize societies in pursuit of narrow political and factional interests.”

He reaffirmed the stance of the MWL alongside that of the global Islamic community in categorically rejecting and condemning violence and terrorism in all forms, irrespective of their origin or pretext.

He also denounced the religious and ideological extremism that fuels such acts, which continue to threaten global security and undermine the stability and prosperity of societies worldwide.


Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
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Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.

Saudi Arabia unveiled a comprehensive package of development projects across Yemen on Wednesday, announcing 28 projects and initiatives worth 1.9 billion riyals aimed at supporting stability and economic recovery nationwide.

The projects extend Saudi support for Yemen under directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with follow-up by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid stated that the support delivered through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening security and stability and contributing to a better future for Yemen and its people.

Prince Khalid met on Wednesday with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, members of the council, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State and Governor of Aden, for talks on fraternal ties between their countries.

The meeting discussed developments in Yemen and efforts aimed at ending the crisis through a comprehensive political settlement to achieve security and stability. It underscored the importance of continuing work on the future of the southern issue through the upcoming Riyadh conference to reach an inclusive vision for fair solutions.

Al-Alimi described the meeting with Prince Khalid as productive, saying it addressed national developments and Saudi Arabia’s promising support within a strategic partnership that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people to restore state institutions, security, stability, and peace.

In a post on X, al-Alimi stated that the development projects represent a cornerstone for recovery and reconstruction, and a prelude to broader programs aimed at improving services and livelihoods, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to supporting the Yemeni state at all levels.

He expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s leadership for its steadfast positions alongside the Yemeni people and their political leadership at all stages.

The new package includes petroleum derivatives to operate power plants across Yemen, which is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply to hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports, ports, and other facilities, as well as support industrial activity and boost trade.

The SDRPY will begin operating the King Salman Medical and Educational City in Al-Mahra after completion of all construction works and full equipment installation, strengthening Yemen’s health sector.

The interim capital Aden will also receive development projects and initiatives, including the continued operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital for the next three years.

The program will establish Yemen’s first desalination plant to help achieve water security and improve access to fresh water.

It will launch the second and third phases of the Aden airport rehabilitation project, including the rebuilding of the runway and the provision of navigation and communications systems, to enhance passenger services, enable international and domestic airlines to operate flights, and support economic and commercial activity.

Among the key projects is the completion of the final section of the expansion and rehabilitation of the Al Abr road, covering the Ghuwayrban to Al Makhtham stretch, following the completion of the first and second phases, totaling 90 km in Marib.

Work will also begin to rehabilitate the Al Abr to Seiyun road in Hadhramaut to boost safe mobility and support trade and economic activity.

The package also includes boosting electricity capacity through the construction of a 30 megawatt power plant in Taiz, supporting service continuity, operating Al-Mokha Hospital to ensure the continued delivery of medical services, and a project to build, expand, and upgrade the coastal road and its related intersections to promote economic and social development.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Wednesday the United States' designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations.

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s condemnation of extremism and terrorism, its support for all that achieves security, stability, and prosperity of Arab countries, and the security of the region and the world.