Saudi Interior Minister Inaugurates New E-Passport

Photo presenting the features of the new Saudi e-passport. (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
Photo presenting the features of the new Saudi e-passport. (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi Interior Minister Inaugurates New E-Passport

Photo presenting the features of the new Saudi e-passport. (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
Photo presenting the features of the new Saudi e-passport. (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inaugurated on Thursday the new version of the electronic passport as he visited the Directorate General of Passports in Riyadh.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Lieutenant-General Sulaiman Al-Yahya, Director General of Passports in Saudi Arabia, said the new passport, which will be disbursed gradually after the inauguration process, contained watermarks and precise security features that make it difficult to forge in any way.

He added that the new passport consisted of 48 pages, each featuring a historical landmark, including the No.7 oil well, which placed the Kingdom on the world oil map, in addition to Saudi Arabia’s airports, modern industries and petrochemicals.

Al-Yahya noted that the new version of the e-passport was achieved with Saudi expertise, and would include all vital information and characteristics, making it easier for the citizen to complete the procedures while traveling to any country in the world.

One of the advantages of the new passport is the “verification with the fingerprint” in the event of theft Al-Yahya stressed that this feature would facilitate the identification of the owner of the passport by matching his fingerprint.

The launching of the e-passport is the result of concerted efforts by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Finance, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and was designed with the highest technical specifications and modern security features used in global travel documents, in implementation of one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

During his visit to the Directorate, the interior minister met with the employees of the command-and-control center, workers at the unified call center 992, and the staff members of the beneficiary services center within the passport directorate.



Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj’s Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
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Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj’s Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has completed extensive preparations at Namirah Mosque in Arafat, ensuring it is fully ready to welcome Hajj pilgrims on the day of Arafat, which falls on Thursday. The mosque has been furnished with 125,000 square meters of luxurious carpets.

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims. The backyard now features 19 canopies that reduce heat stress by an average of 10 degrees Celsius, complemented by sun-reflecting floor paint. The surrounding courtyards are also prepared and cooled with 117 fog fans, lowering temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius.

A major ventilation and air conditioning upgrade includes a new control system that monitors carbon dioxide levels and operates air purification units, allowing for 100% air renewal every 30 minutes. This system also controls water pumps, boosting operational efficiency and providing a healthier environment for pilgrims.

For hydration, 70 water chillers have been installed, each capable of serving 2,000 pilgrims per hour, totaling a capacity of 140,000 pilgrims per hour.

An advanced audio system and security surveillance cameras have also been integrated to boost safety and security.

Furthermore, the mosque's 72 gates and entrances have been strategically organized to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims.

These extensive tasks were carried out by dedicated supervisory and service teams committed to providing the best services to pilgrims.