Saudi Arabia Facilitates Visits to Makkah, Madinah for Turkish Nationals

An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Facilitates Visits to Makkah, Madinah for Turkish Nationals

An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An integrated services system for pilgrims to perform Umrah with ease (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched a package of facilitation to the visitors of Makkah and Madinah from Türkiye.

In a meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday, the Saudi Tourism Authority announced that Turkish nationals wishing to visit Saudi Arabia will now have the option to obtain a tourist visa through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in Türkiye.

The visa can be issued within 48 hours through accredited travel and tourism offices in Türkiye listed on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries, or holders of active US, UK, and Schengen visas can obtain the visa upon arrival at the airports in Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Dammam.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also launched Nusuk, in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Nusuk dedicated a page for Turkish nationals to be able to issue an Umrah visa by purchasing one of the available programs.

Additionally, Saudi citizens can now issue a personal visit visa for their friends, as can citizens and residents wishing to host their relatives.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority and Managing Director of Nusuk, said that “Saudi Arabia continues its efforts” to offer facilitation to the visitors of Makkah and Madinah through various unprecedented services and options that guarantee a smooth and spiritual experience.

Hamidaddin added that the promotional meeting with the presence of more than 50 partners [to the Saudi tourism sector] witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements with major Turkish travel and tourism companies.



Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Bangladesh on Death of Former PM Khaleda Zia

An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)
An aerial view shows mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Parliament House premises in Dhaka on December 31, 2025 a day after her death. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Thursday a cable of condolences to Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

He extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president and the family of the deceased.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Shahabuddin a similar cable.


Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo
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Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo

Pakistan has confirmed its support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, and for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Wednesday that Pakistan strongly opposes any unilateral actions taken by any Yemeni party that escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten peace and stability in Yemen and the region.

The statement said Pakistan welcomes regional efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain peace and stability in Yemen, expresses its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and reaffirms its commitment to the Kingdom’s security.

It added that Pakistan maintains its strong support for resolving the Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy, and hopes that the Yemeni people and regional powers will work together to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the issue and safeguard regional stability.


Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
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Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein Al Sheikh.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the dire humanitarian conditions facing Gaza residents, ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire, and Israeli escalation in the West Bank. They stressed the importance of the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

The two sides also underlined the need for the release of Palestinian Authority funds, the protection of the Palestinian banking system, and commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the reform program launched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and praised the efforts of the US president.

The two sides affirmed the importance of connecting Gaza to the West Bank and continuing efforts, in coordination with brotherly countries and international partners, to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the realization of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manal Radwan.