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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)
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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.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.

Gulf

Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Friday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed developments in the region, underscoring their continued coordination and consultations over them.

Gulf

Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

A Saudi source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom has not permitted its airspace to be used in support of any offensive military operations, stressing that Riyadh is seeking de-escalation and supports Pakistan’s efforts to reach an agreement ending the war.

The source said certain parties were attempting to present a misleading picture of the Kingdom’s position for what he described as “suspicious” motives.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Rayed Krimly reaffirmed the Kingdom’s position calling for de-escalation, avoiding further escalation, and supporting negotiations and efforts aimed at ending the war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

Krimly underscored Riyadh’s consistent position in support of de-escalation and avoiding further escalation, warning in a post on X against "media reports attributed to unnamed sources - some of whom claim to be Saudi - suggesting otherwise."

For his part, Gulf Research Center Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager said the Saudi position had been clear from the outset and centered on “avoiding escalation and resolving disputes through political dialogue.”

Bin Sager told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We recall Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he affirmed that the Kingdom would not allow its territory or airspace to be used in any military operations.”

A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat on March 24 that the Kingdom had already denied allegations claiming the Saudi leadership preferred prolonging the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

The official added that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had previously stated, during a press conference following a ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh, that Iranian attacks must stop, that the Kingdom’s patience has limits, and that Riyadh reserves the right to respond and deter aggression through political and other measures.

According to bin Sager, Saudi Arabia’s key demands include “halting Iranian attacks, securing guarantees to end the war, preventing Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Gulf and other Arab states, as well as ensuring maritime and energy security.”

He added: “The Kingdom is seeking to lower tensions and create space for negotiations, and believes that any escalation could obstruct talks and affect the Strait of Hormuz.”

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors for international trade and global energy security.

Al-Wasel made the remarks during a joint press conference in New York between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States regarding a draft resolution on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Saudi diplomat said any threat to freedom of navigation in the strait would directly affect the stability of global markets and international supply chains. He also warned of the humanitarian and economic repercussions of disruptions to the flow of essential goods, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.

Al-Wasel stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the safe and uninterrupted flow of international trade in accordance with international law.

He called for coordinated international action to de-escalate tensions and prevent the crisis from worsening in a way that would preserve regional and international security and stability.

The Saudi diplomat also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to protect vital maritime corridors and maintain international peace and security.