Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
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Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, which mobilizes 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the plan in the presence of the minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the director of the General Directorate of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Bassami.

Al-Sudais pointed to the plan being based on ten main axes related to strategic goals stemming from Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Moreover, he said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Al-Sudais said that all services and programs were being followed up minute by minute to ensure the highest quality, through a set of indicators supervised by the presidency around the clock.

In addition, the presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles a day in the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafah would be translated into 10 different languages.

He noted that this year’s Hajj season follows two exceptional seasons in which Saudi Arabia showed resounding success in crisis management under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.



MWL Condemns Iranian Attacks on Vital Facilities in Kuwait

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Iranian Attacks on Vital Facilities in Kuwait

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

The Muslim World League (MWL) has strongly condemned the targeting of vital facilities in Kuwait by Iran and its proxy groups.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa denounced the attacks as criminal, stressing that they violate religious values, international and humanitarian law, and undermine efforts to restore security and stability in the region.

Al-Issa expressed full solidarity with Kuwait in all measures taken to preserve the country's security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents.


Saudi Energy Facilities, East-West Pipeline Affected by Attacks Recover and Restore Operational Capacity

The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
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Saudi Energy Facilities, East-West Pipeline Affected by Attacks Recover and Restore Operational Capacity

The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo
The Saudi Ministry of Energy logo

The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced on Sunday the success of operational and technical efforts in restoring the full pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline, amounting to approximately seven million barrels per day, and recovering the affected volumes from the Manifa field production of around 300,000 barrels per day, all within a short period of time.

The announcement came after it issued a statement on April 9 regarding the impact on certain facilities of the Kingdom’s energy sector due to attacks, including the loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day of pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline, and the reduction in production at the Manifa field by about 300,000 barrels per day, in addition to the impact on production at the Khurais field by about 300,000 barrels per day.

With regard to the Khurais field, the ministry said Sunday that work is still ongoing to restore full production capacity, adding this will be announced upon completion.

The quick recovery reflects the high operational resilience and crisis management efficiency of Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom’s energy ecosystem as a whole, thereby enhancing the reliability and continuity of supplies to local and global markets, and supporting the global economy, the statement added.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks by Iran, its Proxies on Kuwait

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the “heinous” attacks carried out by Iran and its proxies on a number of vital facilities in Kuwait.

A ministry statement said on Saturday that “the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of these attacks,” which undermine Kuwait’s sovereignty and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the UN charter.

“Such violations erode international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the region,” said the statement.

The ministry called on Iran and its proxies to “cease all hostile acts against Arab and Islamic countries” and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.”

The Kingdom also expressed its full solidarity with Kuwait, its government and people, and reaffirmed its full support for all measures undertaken by Kuwait to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.