Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project, which will provide an advanced technical service for this year’s Hajj season.

Five thousand bracelets will be distributed to pilgrims, who will benefit from main services that include full information about the pilgrim’s health condition, any possible exposure to COVID-19, the percentage of blood oxygen, heart rate, and emergency medical or security assistance.

The service, which was launched by the Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Doyof al-Rahman Service Program, in partnership with the STC Group, adopts the concept of data and the Internet of things, and features the implementation of integrated stages that seek to develop business models and operational and technical systems, in a qualitative experience to serve the religious pilgrim journey.

The head of SDAIA, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, underlined the importance of the new service in providing assistance to the pilgrims and achieving the relevant objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

He said that the authority “harnesses all its technical capabilities and national competencies to provide the best innovative solutions based on data and IoT technologies to serve pilgrims and those working in the concerned government and private sectors.”

For his part, the program’s executive director, Eng. Bassam bin Ghashian, said that the cooperation was the fruit of the “leadership’s unlimited support for all sectors, with the aim to enhance the experience of the pilgrims, and the services provided on the journey to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.”

The CEO of STC stressed that serving the pilgrims with innovative digital solutions fell within the group’s goals to contribute to enriching their experience with the latest technologies, in accordance with Vision 2030.

He added that the partnership came as a continuation of cooperation with SDAIA and its creative projects to serve the country through high-quality digital services.



Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal order promoting and appointing 34 judges at the Board of Grievances.

President of the Board of Grievances and Chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ohaydib said the administrative judiciary enjoys the support of King Salman and the attention and follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This is reflected in the royal order, which supports the Board of Grievances, motivates its judges and personnel, and advances the administrative judiciary, he added.


Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.