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Saudi Arabia Allocates Tents for Hajj Pilgrims Infected with COVID-19

Malaysian pilgrims are welcomed upon their arrival at Madinah Airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Malaysian pilgrims are welcomed upon their arrival at Madinah Airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Allocates Tents for Hajj Pilgrims Infected with COVID-19

Malaysian pilgrims are welcomed upon their arrival at Madinah Airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Malaysian pilgrims are welcomed upon their arrival at Madinah Airport. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Dr. Abdel-Fattah Mashat, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said the Kingdom would provide tents to isolate pilgrims infected with the Covid-19 during the upcoming Hajj.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Mashat noted that the relevant service provider companies would allocate a specific percentage of tents for isolation procedures, stressing that immediate penalties would be imposed for any shortage, including direct compensation for the pilgrims who were not provided with the requested services.

He pointed to ongoing communication with Hajj affairs offices in more than 180 countries regarding agreements, as well as instructions and matters pertaining to the issuance of visas and other preparations.

He revealed that the ministry has developed a new technology to serve pilgrims in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe, which enables them to obtain approvals and services without intermediaries. This service helped reduce prices by more than 30%, he underlined.

The ministry is also developing strategic plans in coordination with the relevant public and private sector agencies to overcome challenges and improve the Hajj experience, according to Mashat.

“The Ministry of Hajj deals with all relevant sectors at home and abroad to make the Hajj successful and provide the best care for pilgrims,” he stressed.

Moreover, he added that another technical service was recently launched by the ministry, a dedicated electronic awareness platform, which has been sent to pilgrims, Hajj affairs offices and workers to inform them about the regulations and standards.

Regarding health protocols, Mashat underlined that Saudi Arabia has proven its success in dealing with all external circumstances, including the coronavirus pandemic.

“We fully trust the efforts of the Ministry of Health to avoid the outbreak of any epidemics during the current Hajj season… We should also not forget the importance of the proactive work undertaken by the concerned authorities to deal with the developments and avoid a new outbreak,” he stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays an important role in facilitating the issuance of Hajj visas, Mashat said, especially with the adoption of the electronic visa system.

The official also pointed to the role of service provider companies, which he said reflects development and progress in the sector.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.