First of Iranian Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
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First of Iranian Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Benten revealed on Sunday that the first Iranian pilgrims had started arriving in the Kingdom to perform the annual Hajj rites.

He stressed that the ministry has completed preparations of all Hajj services for the pilgrims, including Iranians, who started arriving in Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian pilgrims landed in Medina.

Preparations to receive pilgrims from Qatar are also complete, said Benten.

The minister had inspected the contract signed between the south Asia company and the pilgrims affairs office, as well as the contract signed between the company and the Qatar pilgrims affairs bureau.

In addition, he toured the civil institutions for non-Arab pilgrims from African countries and South Asia in order to present the operation plans for the 2017 Hajj season.

The presentation included several of the programs, goals, and execution, assessment and supervision mechanisms.

He also presented the food, transportation, awareness and accommodation services and efforts to improve them in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

At the end of his tour, Benten stressed the importance of providing quality services that reflect the hospitality of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques towards the pilgrims.

He highlighted the importance of Hajj organizers exerting efforts and bolstering cooperation to offer the best services and ensure the success of this year’s pilgrimage.



Israel Names Spy Veteran as Top Finance Ministry Civil Servant

Israeli military reservists sing together as they sign pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation near the defense ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
Israeli military reservists sing together as they sign pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation near the defense ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
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Israel Names Spy Veteran as Top Finance Ministry Civil Servant

Israeli military reservists sing together as they sign pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation near the defense ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
Israeli military reservists sing together as they sign pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation near the defense ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday named Ilan Rom, a longtime intelligence official, as the Finance Ministry's director general.

As the ministry's top civil servant, Rom will replace Shlomi Heisler, who said he was stepping down this month after two years in the post for "urgent personal reasons".

Rom served 25 years at Israel's Mossad spy agency.

For the last 2-1/2 years Rom was chief executive of Israel's largest regional council, Mateh Binyamin. The ministry noted that at the council, he spearheaded significant changes, focusing on economic development, including the accelerated planning and development of five major industrial zones, Reuters reported.

He also led a deep economic efficiency initiative, achieving budgetary balance and profitability in the council for the first time, even during wartime, the ministry said.

"The tasks before us are challenging. I intend to dedicate all my efforts to the economic development of the state during this long and difficult war to alleviate the cost of living and encourage growth engines," Rom said in a statement referring to Israel's 15-month-old war against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Smotrich said Rom will use his experience to advance the economy and financial system in Israel, promote growth and reduce bureaucratic barriers.

Rom enters the post at a time when Israel's economy has weakened due to its military conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, with spending on the wars costing some $25 billion in 2024 - leading to a wider budget deficit and debt burden and leading to credit rating reductions by all three major agencies.

Parliament has given an initial nod to an austerity 2025 state budget but it still needs to pass two more votes to become law. In the meantime, Israel is using a prorated version of the 2024 budget.