Saudi Arabia Tightens Security Measures for Hajj Pilgrimage

Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Tightens Security Measures for Hajj Pilgrimage

Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj. (SPA)
Pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has tightened its security measures for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage and has prevented citizens and residents from entering Makkah without a necessary permit.

The Ministry of the Interior called on Saudi citizens and residents in the Kingdom to abide by the regulations and instructions that stipulate having a Hajj permit to perform this year’s rituals.

It confirmed in an official statement that security forces will prevent those who do not have this permit from entering the holy city of Makkah.

Saudi Arabia is committed to providing security and preventing the exploitation of Hajj to provoke sedition, stressing that it will not tolerate any political or sectarian slogans.

Separately, Egypt’s Mufti Shawqi Allam praised the efforts exerted by the Saudi government to organize this year’s pilgrimage.

The government has worked to develop its efforts and services provided to the two Holy Mosques in accordance with Islam’s Sharia law, he added.

He also hailed the expansion projects of the Holy Mosque’s yard and the constant improvements targeting the infrastructure of holy sites.

The government has established the Hajj Research Center to play a technical advisory role to the Supreme Hajj Committee and the parties concerned with the Hajj and its affairs.

The center monitors all information and collects detailed data on various matters of related to Hajj and pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Passports said about one million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals this year.



OIC Condemns Israeli Bombing of Journalists' Tent in Gaza

A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Bombing of Journalists' Tent in Gaza

A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian journalist inspects the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned Israeli forces’ bombing of a journalists’ tent in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

One journalist was killed and several others were injured in the attack.

The OIC stated that the incident is a clear violation of press freedom and reflects Israel’s ongoing policy of suppressing the media, concealing its actions, and preventing the international community from accessing accurate information.

The organization held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the deaths of more than 210 journalists since the beginning of the military operation in Gaza Strip, which the OIC has described as genocide.

The OIC renewed its call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to complete its investigations into all alleged crimes committed by Israel against civilians, including journalists who face targeted killings, arbitrary arrests, and physical assaults while performing their professional duties.

The organization also urged international bodies, particularly UNESCO, to take action to ensure accountability, uphold press freedom, and protect the safety of journalists working in the occupied Palestinian territories in accordance with international law.