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2 Million Hajj Pilgrims Ascend Mount Arafat

Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
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2 Million Hajj Pilgrims Ascend Mount Arafat

Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
Two million pilgrims will stand at Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)

The Hajj pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat on Saturday, one of the holiest days of the annual rituals that kicked off on Friday.

The General Authority for Statistics announced Saturday that 2,096,023 pilgrims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia had arrived in the holy city of Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Governor of the Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal said Friday that the Kingdom was spending billions of dollars on projects that will better serve the pilgrims.

The Kingdom does not care so much about costs as it does about the comfort of its guests, he stressed during a press conference in Mina.

He revealed that more than 350,000 military and civilian personnel and 4,000 volunteers have been deployed to serve the pilgrims.

On plans to develop the holy sites, he said that preliminary studies of projects have been referred to the Makkah Region Development Authority, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

The projects have all received approval and finishing touches are being set for their execution, said Prince Khalid.

The goal is to develop Makkah into a modern and smart city with all advanced amenities demanded by this age and generations to come, he explained.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki said that the first phase of the Hajj was completed on Friday with the transfer of pilgrims to the Mina area.

Hajj is a top priority for Saudi Arabia and it is working tirelessly to ensure that pilgrims have a smooth experience, he added.

Security forces spokesman Sami al-Shweirekh said that all plans to organize the crowds are being executed without incident.

He revealed that 256 illegal Hajj operators have been busted and 16,903 people were returned to their homes for seeking to perform the pilgrimage without a permit.

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Gulf

Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Tourism Inspects Readiness of Hospitality Facilities for Pilgrims in Makkah

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and other officials are seen during his inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected the readiness of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, reviewing the level of services provided to pilgrims at their residences, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The tour included hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations across Makkah. He assessed operational procedures, facility preparedness, and the services offered to pilgrims. This contributes to boosting service quality within accommodation facilities.

During the tour, Al-Khateeb met with trained tourism personnel serving pilgrims and reviewed their readiness and role in delivering services. This reflects the impact of the ministry’s training and qualification programs aimed at empowering national talent in the tourism sector.

He visited the Ministry of Tourism branch in the Makkah Region. The branch supports the ministry’s year-round field presence, brings services closer to investors and operators, and strengthens monitoring and oversight of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during the Hajj season.

At the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, Al-Khateeb met with investors and operators of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations. They discussed the sector’s readiness for the Hajj, explored ways to improve service quality for pilgrims, and enhanced coordination and integration across all aspects of pilgrim accommodation services.

He stressed to investors and operators the importance of providing a hospitality experience that enriches pilgrims' journey to the Grand Mosque. He underlined the need to fulfill the national responsibility of caring for pilgrims, enabling them to perform their rituals in comfort and peace.

The minister announced the achievement of the target to increase bed capacity in Makkah’s hospitality sector.

He underscored the success of the ministry’s initiatives, including the launch of the “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service for pilgrims and expanded hospitality capacity in Makkah.

This year, the Ministry of Tourism assumed full responsibility for overseeing the pilgrim accommodation sector in Makkah. The “Temporary Accommodation” licensing service contributed to adding more than 566,000 beds to the pilgrim hospitality sector in Makkah through a structured framework and clear standards that enhance service quality and diversify accommodation options for pilgrims.

Gulf

Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested five Egyptian residents for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by entering and remaining in Makkah without obtaining a Hajj permit, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. They also documented and shared the violation on social media.

The individuals have been detained, and legal action has been taken against them.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged all to comply with the regulations governing the Hajj season and to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, stressing that violations will result in legal penalties.

It also called for the prompt reporting of violators through the dedicated hotlines.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Discusses Means to Ease Regional Tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Discusses Means to Ease Regional Tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held on Monday a series of a telephone calls with his various counterparts to tackle efforts to ease tensions in the region.

He held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on regional developments and means to contain the tensions.

He also received a telephone call from Afghanistan’s FM Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Prince Faisal telephoned Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Omani FM Badr Albusaidi and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty to discuss regional developments and joint efforts to restore security and stability.