Saudi Arabia Says 2021 Hajj Plan Hinges on Pandemic

Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi addresses the press briefing on Sunday. (SPA)
Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi addresses the press briefing on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says 2021 Hajj Plan Hinges on Pandemic

Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi addresses the press briefing on Sunday. (SPA)
Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi addresses the press briefing on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that the mechanism that will be in place for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage hinges on the developments related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at the periodic government press briefing, acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi remarked that the world was facing major challenges because of the pandemic given that the virus was constantly mutating.

He also noted a shortage in vaccinations in several countries.

These factors have forced a delay in announcing the plan of this year’s holy pilgrimage, he explained.

The ministers of health and Hajj and Umrah will clarify the pilgrimage mechanism in coming days given the ongoing challenges, he added.

Al-Qasabi stressed that Saudi Arabia was among the world’s leading countries in providing the best vaccines to its people. It has secured deliveries for more than twice its population in order to provide the necessary protection to its citizens and residents.

So far, 40 percent of the population has been vaccinated, or around 15 million shots have been given.

In its effort to coexist with the pandemic, the Kingdom has taken all the precautions to secure a safe return to normal and resume travel within the necessary health protocols that have taken it to the top global position in government response to the coronavirus, he stressed.

Asked by Asharq Al-Awsat about the inoculation of teaching staff at schools and universities, he replied that only 70 percent of teachers have been vaccinated.

Al-Qasabi therefore, urged teachers to sign up to receive the vaccine, adding, however, that no one will be forced to take the shot.

The Kingdom has announced that it will resume in-person teaching for the next academic year.

New infections have been steadily declining in Saudi Arabia. It confirmed 984 new cases on Sunday, 1,185 recoveries and 16 fatalities.

Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali hailed the people’s awareness and compliance with the health precautions, which has helped achieve the drop in cases.

He urged them to continue to comply with the measures and called on people who have not yet received the vaccine to sign up for it.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Rejection of Using Vital Waterways to Harm States' Interests

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Rejection of Using Vital Waterways to Harm States' Interests

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of phone calls with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin; Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; and President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

He also briefed the Cabinet on his meeting with United Arab Emirates Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The discussions reviewed relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and these brotherly and friendly nations, as well as ways to strengthen and develop these ties across various fields. Additionally, the talks addressed regional developments and efforts to enhance security and stability at both regional and international levels.

In a statement to the SPA following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this context, the Cabinet praised the national efforts and the Kingdom's significant role in this global event, particularly its leadership and support for multilateral action at various levels. These efforts promote international peace and security, enhance dialogue and diplomacy, aid in addressing global crises and challenges, and strengthen responses to humanitarian needs.

The Cabinet viewed the Kingdom's financial support for the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center's programs as an essential part of its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms. This support underscores the importance of the center in enhancing national capacities, unifying global efforts, and strengthening international cooperation in this field.

The Cabinet noted the progress made in establishing the General Secretariat of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and forming its committees and working groups.

It also noted the steps taken at the meetings of the foreign ministers and chiefs of general staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Türkiye to advance coordination and integration among the three countries and begin translating the agreement's commitments into military cooperation that strengthens deterrence and collective defense.

The Cabinet followed developments in political issues at the regional and international levels, expressing its welcome for the statement issued by members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which condemned the continued attacks by the Houthi terrorist militia against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, threats to the security of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the undermining of efforts aimed at achieving peace in Yemen.

The Cabinet also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, and of restoring conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to those prevailing before February 28, while imposing no fees or restrictions.

It rejected the use of these vital waterways as a means of exerting pressure, issuing threats, or harming the interests of states, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Minister Al-Dossary said the Cabinet strongly condemned continued assaults by officials of the Israeli occupation authorities and extremist settlers on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its religious and historical status, as well as continued expansionist attempts to infringe upon the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

He also indicated that the Cabinet renewed Saudi Arabia's affirmation that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Cabinet also reviewed a number of reports on domestic affairs, commending the successive international recognition of the leadership of the “Saudi Model for Education and Training Quality” in building an integrated ecosystem of programs, tools, and measures, supported by a broad database of data and information.

This contributes to ensuring the adequacy of education outcomes, preparing national talent capable of competing globally, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030.


Crown Prince, Italian Prime Minister Discuss Bilateral Ties, Maritime Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
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Crown Prince, Italian Prime Minister Discuss Bilateral Ties, Maritime Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call on Tuesday from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation across various fields and addressed the latest developments in the region.

They also emphasized the importance of supporting efforts to ensure the security and freedom of navigation in vital waterways to bolster regional stability.


Albudaiwi: Ministerial Committees Continue Drive to Advance Joint Gulf Action

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi: Ministerial Committees Continue Drive to Advance Joint Gulf Action

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi underscored that ministerial committees remain actively engaged in following up on milestones achieved through ministerial sessions and workshops alongside member states, building upon their outcomes to complete the execution of decisions issued by the Consultative Meeting of the Supreme Council, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the Leaders of GCC states and bolstering the march of joint Gulf action.

​Albudaiwi's remarks were delivered during the 10th meeting of the High-Level Committee for Following up on the Implementation of Decisions of the GCC Supreme Council Consultative Meeting, convened in the presence of committee members on Tuesday at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, SPA reported.

​"The upcoming phase demands rigorous monitoring of achieved progress and intensified coordination with relevant authorities across member states to identify remaining steps and resolve potential hurdles," he stated.

He underlined the imperative of translating the outcomes of ministerial meetings and workshops into concrete practical measures, tracking their execution in accordance with designated timelines.

Concluding his statement, the GCC secretary-general commended the efforts exerted by member states, ministerial committees, and specialized working teams, praising their sustained collaboration in advancing the rollout of resolutions.

He emphasized the General Secretariat's keenness to maintain continuous follow-up and engagement, ensuring the durability of accomplishments and propelling Gulf integration pathways toward further advancement.