Saudi Minister: Health Plan for Hajj Was a Success

Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
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Saudi Minister: Health Plan for Hajj Was a Success

Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih
Neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported among pilgrims. Photo: Bashir Salih

The health plan for this year’s Hajj was a success, with no coronavirus cases detected among pilgrims, Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced on Thursday.

“This Hajj was successful, with neither COVID-19 nor any other epidemic diseases reported,” he said.

Earlier this week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, hailed the Saudi leadership on the preventive measures it has taken to protect the pilgrims.

“As the faithful gather to perform Hajj this year, we welcome the public health planning and steps Saudi Arabia has taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a tweet.

Al-Rabiah said Thursday that all the government agencies serving pilgrims had made great efforts in executing the Hajj health plans to prevent any infections during the Hajj season.

He also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their “unlimited support” to the Ministry of Health and its workers, as well as all government agencies which took part in organizing the Hajj.

This year's Hajj had been limited to 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Syria Mosque

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Syria Mosque

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion, as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said, in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Ahmed al-Najjar

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the deadly terrorist attack that targeted the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque during Friday prayers in the Syrian city of Homs.

In a statement, the ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of terrorism and extremism in all their forms, including attacks on mosques and places of worship and the targeting of innocent civilians.

It also expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Syria in this tragic incident and its support for the Syrian government’s efforts to uphold security and stability.

The ministry extended the Kingdom’s sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Syria, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and expressing hope for security and peace for Syria and its people.


New Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza Strip

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
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New Saudi Aid Convoy Arrives in Central Gaza Strip

The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA
The aid was received by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families. SPA

A new Saudi aid convoy carrying essential food supplies, provided by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has arrived in the central Gaza Strip as part of the campaign to support the Palestinian people.

The aid was received on Thursday by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for distribution to the most vulnerable families.

This comes amid severe weather conditions that have caused flooding in the tents of displaced persons. In response, the center has set up several camps to shelter affected families and provide for their basic daily needs, aiming to alleviate the impact of the worsening humanitarian situation.

The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment, through its humanitarian arm KSrelief, to supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis and hardship.


Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Libyan Presidential Council on Death of Chief of Staff

Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Libyan Presidential Council on Death of Chief of Staff

Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish search and rescue team members arrive to the crash site of a jet carrying Libya's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad near Kesikkavak village, Türkiye, December 24, 2025. (Reuters)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Friday a cable of condolences to President of Libya's Presidential Council Dr. Mohamed Al-Menfi on the death of the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army and his companions following a plane crash in Türkiye earlier this week.

King Salman extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president and the families of the deceased.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent A-Menfi a similar cable.

Experts have started analyzing the black boxes recovered from the jet crash in Türkiye that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, the Turkish defense ministry said Thursday. The probe was being done in coordination with Libyan officials.

The private jet with Gen. Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, four other military officers and three crew members crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Ankara, killing everyone on board.

Libyan officials said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction on the plane.