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: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government urged on Tuesday the warring parties in Sudan to reach a ceasefire, end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

It stressed that a political solution was the only way to end the crisis, reiterating the need to commit to the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023.

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

The ministers reviewed regional developments and Saudi Arabia’s tireless efforts, along with the international community, to establish peace and security in the region.

These efforts were demonstrated in its hosting of the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Ninety countries and regional and international organizations took part to discuss establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The cabinet also highlighted the Kingdom's call for a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit this month, which will address the continued Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on his meetings and talks with leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, which focused on relations and ways to boost them in various fields.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary told the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet praised the outcome of the third meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council security committee, and the initiatives carried out that contribute to advancing the strong fraternal relations toward new horizons.

The Cabinet commended the outcome of the second ministerial meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council economic and investment committee. It noted the progress toward achieving the two countries' common goals, particularly in the fields of industry, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, food security, climate sciences, and sustainable transportation.

The Cabinet discussed the Kingdom's participation in the recent G20 meetings, where it highlighted efforts to promote sustainability in education, invest in innovation and entrepreneurship, and its ongoing contributions in addressing global health challenges.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet noted the Kingdom's significant advancement, of 15 places, in the 2023 international tourist revenue rankings compared to 2019, leading the top 50 rankings in upward movement. This achievement underscores the Kingdom's global leadership and ongoing success in the tourism sector.