Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Makkah to Madinah

Hajj pilgrims during the ritual stoning of the Devil at al-Jamarat. (Abdullah al-Falih)
Hajj pilgrims during the ritual stoning of the Devil at al-Jamarat. (Abdullah al-Falih)
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Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Makkah to Madinah

Hajj pilgrims during the ritual stoning of the Devil at al-Jamarat. (Abdullah al-Falih)
Hajj pilgrims during the ritual stoning of the Devil at al-Jamarat. (Abdullah al-Falih)

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed to security forces the gratitude of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on their success in ensuring the safety and security of the Hajj pilgrims.

The Saudi leadership conveyed its message to the security forces at the Interior Ministry, Presidency of State Security and members of the armed forces that were part of the security plans that were implemented during the Hajj.

Prince Abdulaziz met in Makkah on Sunday with the leaders of various security departments.

He said the Saudi leadership had offered all possible means to serve the pilgrims and ensure that they perform the holy rituals smoothly and without incident.

He expressed the Kingdom’s pride in serving the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, hailing the efforts of the security and military forces and all concerned ministries and government agencies.

On Monday, the Hajj pilgrims will conclude the holy rituals in Makkah and prepare to depart to Madinah where they will pray at the Prophet’s Mosque and visit the most notable Islamic landmarks.

Preparations are complete to welcome the pilgrims. Various operational plans are in place to ensure they have a smooth journey

From Makkah, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh announced the success of the first phase of the ministry’s plan to serve the Hajj pilgrims.

He said 12,000 Dawah workers held seminars at mosques and handed out 800,000 pamphlets and 950,000 cool water bottles to the pilgrims. Over 6.5 million text messages on awareness and guidance were sent. Half a million copies of the Koran were handed out at the holy sites and 100,000 cool water bottles at Arafat and 50,000 at Muzdalifa.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat revealed that some violations were confirmed at the Hajj.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said some companies committed violations in serving the pilgrims and authorities are holding them to account.

He vowed that his ministry will not be lenient with any shortcoming, especially when it comes to serving the pilgrims.



Saudi, Iraqi Defense Ministers Sign MoU on Military Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi sign the MoU in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi sign the MoU in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Iraqi Defense Ministers Sign MoU on Military Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi sign the MoU in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi sign the MoU in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh on Monday his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi.

The ministers discussed boosting defense cooperation and reviewed relations between their countries. They exchanged views on regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions, and addressed other issues of mutual interest.

They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi and Iraqi defense ministries to solidify cooperation in the military field.

The meeting was attended by senior Saudi and Iraqi military and diplomatic officials.